“ADOPT  A TIGER!”

Keeley sat mesmerised by the T.V lady’s words.

“ADOPT A TIGER! LOVE A LION! HUG A HIPPO! CUDDLE A KANGAROO!”

“ Mom, Mom,”  she called from the front room. “can we adopt a tiger.”

Her harassed mother was once again in the process of extricating Keeley’s baby sister from the spin dryer and failed to quite clearly comprehend the little girl’s request.

“What, love, yes, dear, I’m sure that’s fine,” she answered, setting the two year old adventurer on her feet with an exasperated sigh.

“Just ring 22430,”  the T.V lady gaily declared, and press the star button on your phone.”

Keeley puzzled for a little time, then slowly lifted the phone.

 

 

Morning was always busy in the McKenna household and that particular morning was no different. Two small children to dress, although at five years old, Keeley considered herself a big girl now and well able to dress herself and help Mom with Baby Molly, lunches to be made and her parents getting ready for work.

Amidst all this frequently hilarious commotion, the doorbell rang.

Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong!

Still slightly sleepy the little girl opened the hall door, stared for a second and rubbed her eyes. She was dreaming, she must be, because there on her doorstep stood a very well dressed, upright striped animal. A tiger! She stood, shocked and silent, her tiny heart beating a rapid tattoo in her chest.

“Good Morning, my dear”, the tiger doffed his top hat, bowed from the waist and greeted her, “my sincere appreciation for your invitation. My name is Terence. May I come in.”

Keeley blinked once, twice, blinked again and called over her shoulder,

“Mom, Terence has arrived. Can he come in.”

“Who, Dear?” enquired her stressed Mom, as she tried to clothe the wriggling octopus named Molly.

“My tiger, Mom, I adopted him for today.”

“Oh, yes, Dear, of course. Bring him in.”

Keeley’s Mom smiled proudly. What an imagination that child had, a budding author for sure.

“But what will I do with him,” Keeley worried.

“He’ll wait in your room, Honey. Take him up. Molly, take your tights of your head!”

“O.K .C’mon, Terence. Are you hungry?”

“Well, thank you, my dear. I am a little bit peckish, now you come to mention it. Africa is a long way away and I have not eaten for some time.”

What a very polite tiger and so dapper looking. Top hat, tails, shiny patent shoes and big red bow tie.

He followed the little girl to her room and settled himself, after asking permission, of course, on her bed, whilst Keeley went in search of nourishment for him.

Hmm! Now! What did a tiger eat?

Being very unsure, she settled on frosties with milk and a glass of orange juice, which appeared to be right, because Terence devoured them in a few seconds, licked his lips, stroked his whiskers and burped, “Pardon me”, and smiled sweetly, saying,

“My heartfelt thanks, my dear.”

“Mr. Tigger, Sir. I have to go to school. Will you be alright.” Keeley was reluctant to leave him, not because she didn’t trust him but because she wanted to stay and play.

“Of course, little one, and please continue to call me Terence. I will guard this wonderful establishment with my life awaiting your return,”  and with that promise he promptly lay back on the bed and fell deeply asleep.

“Mom, Terence is going to mind the house until we come back.”

“That’s nice, love, now hurry or you’ll be late for school.”

And so the family departed to their various stations for the day.

 

On their arrival home that evening, they were met at the door by a delicious, mouth watering aroma which seemed to be coming from the kitchen.

“Hmm!” sniffed Mom, “Daddy’s home before us. Super!”

But there was no sign of Daddy, just a beautifully set table on which rested a pot of steaming, scrumptious smelling vegetable stew. Mom was seriously puzzled. Keeley wasn’t.

“Terence made it, Mom. He’s really neat.”

!I’m sure he is , love but Dad must have popped out for something. He shouldn’t be long.”

No amount of persuasion on Keeley’s part would convince her Mom of the chef’s true identify. And so it continued all evening. Terence’s presence was known only to the little girl, no one else saw or heard him. He slept on the floor at the side of her bed, snoring loudly, burping occasionally, and the other noise once or twice. She loved him, kept watching him until her tired little eyes closed over and no sound in the world could keep her from the Land of Nod.

Morning dawned clear and bright, Keeley yawned, stretched and froze! No snuffling, no snoring, no gentle soft roaring, no Terence! Just neatly folded blankets with pillow on top, a miniature fluffy tiger and a handwritten note.

“Your hospitality was greatly appreciated, my sweet friend, but I must go. Another tiny being has adopted me for the day. I leave you my likeness to keep you company. Be good to him until we meet again. Felicitations to all.”

Keeley hugged the little doll, wetting him with her tears, but she knew she would see Terence again. She just knew!