Story 3: 'A Tiger in the House' by Ruskin Bond

Introduction to the Story: "A Tiger in the House" is another captivating tale that explores the complex relationship between humans and wild animals, specifically a tiger. Written by the renowned Indian author Ruskin Bond, the story follows the unusual journey of a tiger cub named Timothy, raised as a pet in a human household, and delves into the challenges and ultimate impossibilities of keeping a wild creature in a domesticated environment.

Detailed Plot Overview: The story is narrated by the author, who recounts the experience of his grandfather finding a small tiger cub during a hunting expedition in the Terai jungle. The cub, named Timothy by Grandmother, is brought home and raised like a pet dog. Timothy initially behaves well, enjoying milk from a feeding bottle, then developing a taste for raw mutton and cod-liver oil. He grows up with the household pets, including a monkey, a puppy, and a cat, and even has a cook named Mahmoud who becomes his personal companion and cleans his feeding bottle. He loves to play, especially with the monkey and the author (narrator), and occasionally has mischievous habits like stealing articles and polishing shoes.

As Timothy grows larger, he starts showing more typical tiger instincts. He begins to stalk people, especially the cook, and even occasionally at night, the household cat and the monkey are seen hiding in fear. Grandfather decides it's time Timothy went to a zoo, as keeping a tiger in a house is becoming too dangerous.

Grandfather takes Timothy to the zoo in Lucknow. The zoo authorities are happy to receive a well-fed and relatively tame tiger. Grandfather visits Timothy frequently. On one such visit, Grandfather enters Timothy's enclosure, something the zookeepers advise against. Grandfather affectionately strokes and talks to the tiger, who seems to recognize him, licking his hands. Other zookeepers are surprised by this familiarity.

However, an old zookeeper approaches Grandfather and tells him that this is not Timothy. He explains that Timothy died two months ago from pneumonia, and another tiger was placed in the enclosure. Grandfather, shocked and saddened, argues that it must be Timothy. The zookeeper explains the tiger's origins, and Grandfather slowly realizes the truth. He quietly leaves the cage, still patting the strange tiger, who continues to lick his hands affectionately. The story ends with Grandfather reflecting on the mystery of how a wild tiger could become so tame with him, or if animals possess an innate understanding that transcends identity.

Character Analysis:
● Grandfather:
○ Adventurous and Loving: He bravely brings a tiger cub home and showers it with affection.
○ Observant and Protective: He notices Timothy's changing instincts and makes the difficult decision to send him to the zoo for safety.
○ Possesses a Special Bond with Animals: His ability to calm even a strange tiger highlights his unique connection to wildlife.
○ Naive/Trusting: He initially believes the tiger in the zoo is Timothy, despite its subtle differences.

● Timothy (the tiger cub):
○ Initially Playful and Affectionate: Behaves like a domestic pet.
○ Gradually Instinct-Driven: As he grows, his wild instincts surface, posing a challenge to his human family.
○ Symbol of Wildness: Represents the untamable nature of wild animals, even when raised in captivity.

● The Second Tiger (in the zoo):
○ Mysterious: Its calm acceptance of Grandfather's affection creates a new mystery about the nature of the animal-human bond.

Exploring the Themes:
● Coexistence of Humans and Wild Animals: The story directly tackles the challenges and inherent difficulties of trying to domesticate wild animals. It shows that while a bond can form, wild instincts eventually prevail.
● Nature vs. Nurture: It subtly explores whether a wild animal's environment (nurture) can completely override its natural instincts (nature). Timothy's development suggests that nature ultimately wins.
● Love, Attachment, and Letting Go: Grandfather's deep affection for Timothy is evident, as is the difficult decision to part with him for his and others' safety.
● The Unpredictability of Life/Nature: The final twist with the wrong tiger adds an element of unpredictability and mystery, suggesting that sometimes, bonds can form in unexpected ways, or that perhaps some mysteries remain unsolved. It also highlights the poignant reality of animal life in zoos.

Key Vocabulary from "A Tiger in the House":
● Terai: A belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests at the foot of the Himalayas.
● Cub: The young of a tiger, bear, lion, etc.
● Mahmoud: A proper noun (name of the cook).
● Stalking: Pursuing or approaching stealthily.
● Pneumonia: A lung inflammation disease.
● Enclosure: An area that is fenced off or surrounded.
● Affectionately: In a way that shows love or fondness.
● Nudged: Pushed gently.
● Innate: Inborn; natural.

Learning Application: Debating Responsible Pet Ownership or Wildlife Conservation
1. Analyze Timothy's Behavior:
○ How did Timothy's behavior change as he grew older? What did these changes suggest about his true nature?
2. Debate Prompt:
○ Statement: "Wild animals should never be kept as pets, even if they are raised from a young age."
○ Task: Write two short paragraphs (5-7 sentences each). In the first paragraph, write arguments for the statement (why wild animals should not be pets). In the second paragraph, write arguments against the statement (why, in some rare cases, they might be, or what benefits zoos provide).