This one is about a tigress, named Djada who lives in India. I wrote the synopsis of the story and Kalandra wrote it for me.
Kalandra : Thanks a lot for the story, I love it!!!

This is the first character I imaginated. She suddendly appeared in my mind when I felt in love with tigers (and other big cats), some years ago.

But this is only last months that I imginated a story for her.

With that one, I want to denonciate the destruction of forests and other biotopes all around the world that are vital to endangered animals. This is not the problem of modest inhabitants (in this story inhabitants of India), this is the fault of the governement and multinational enterprises... But te problem is really complex... I hope that next generations will still see Tigers and other endangered species in the nature...

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Djada’s Tears by Kalandra and Tambako
© 1999 Tambako
Please don't modify or put the story on a site without my permission. Thanks.

The day had started simply and appeared as if it would continue that way.
The forest in India was quiet with contemplation as it often was.  The wind rustled the leaves, almost sounding as if the forest was talking.  Or maybe it was muttering about one particular tiger.  For most of the forest inhabitants, the calm quiet day would have been enough.  But not for that one Tiger, Djada.  Oh no, Djada, a tiger of only 3 years, didn’t much care for simple days.  She loved to explore, to travel, and to understand.

Today, Djada had found her way to the east side of the forest.  She wandered a lot, and this often found her trouble.  But today was simple and unfortunately uneventful too.  Djada was currently chasing a small rodent.
She wasn’t going to hurt it, though she could easily.  Her mother had taught her well.  Yes, she was happy just simply chasing the creature.

In a frantic charge, the little rodent darted erratically away from Djada.
Pouncing, the tiger pinned the small creature.  It squirmed up her large paw.  After a few moments the rodent gave up, and sat breathing heavily under her.  Djada wondered what the small animal might be thinking.  It, the rodent, continued to breathe rapidly, waiting to be eaten.

The female tiger slowly raised her paws.   The rodent’s breathing stopped. Cautiously, it turned its head and looked at Djada.  The tiger smiled and said :
- Go on, get out of here.
The small creature gave a small nod of thanks, and ran off.  It paused once to look back at what was obviously a different tiger.

Djada sighed.  Today was boring her.  She decided to take a nap.  But where?  Then the tiger remember a nice little spot she had found a few days ago. It was well shaded and on the bank of a small pond.  Also, it wasn’t far.

The journey didn’t take long.  If anything, Djada could remember direction.  She always knew where she and her destination were.  Djada suddenly paused. She was at the edge of the forest.  This was odd; she didn’t remember the forest ending here.  Beyond was nothing but stumps followed by a field.  There it was.  Djada spotted the pond she had sat by the other day, but there were not trees around it.

The tiger began to exit the forest when her mother’s advice.  'Never, Djada, never leave the forest.  There is danger out there, and it is no place for a young tiger'. Djada smiled.  Well, I not a young tiger anymore, she said to herself as she trotted from the forest.  Maybe this day wouldn’t be boring after all.

The young tiger walked over to her pond.  A scream rang out.  Djada looked around frantically.  Another scream followed.  The tiger found the source it was several humans.  Djada had seen human before, but never this close.
The humans turned and ran, screaming all the way.  That was odd.  She wasn’t going to hurt them.  Besides, they were too far away to easily catch; even humans could have escaped.
Hmm, maybe they just didn’t like cats.  Djada looked into the ponds clear waters.  There was something familiar, her own face looking back at her.

Her features were striking.  The strips were dark, darker than usually. Many males had told her she was beautiful.  Too bad, she had yet to find a male that didn’t bore her out of her mind.

The water tasted fresh and cool.  The female tiger was almost ready to take a nap when another scream rang out.  It was another human.  It turned and ran in the direction the others had.  I wonder where they are all going?
Djada asked herself.  She decided to investigate, and followed the shouting human.

The fields soon gave way to a small city.  Djada had never seen a human city before.  It looked dirty, and she could already smell the stench.  What was this?  There was another smell it was fresh meat.  This defiantly needed to be investigated.
Djada entered the small town.  More and more scream sounded as the humans recognized her.  Why are they so afraid of me?  Everywhere humans ran for cover, like cockroaches scattering from light.  She wasn’t going to hurt them.  They didn’t run from the other creatures of the forest like this.

Well, if the humans did like her, she did like them.

The tiger moved closer to the scent of meat.  It appeared that the smell was coming from within one of the buildings.  Djada decided to investigate.  The shop was small and full of meat.  The tiger smiled as she jumped over to one of the display counters.  She grabbed a huge chunk of freshly cut deer. Hmm, the humans should bury all this extra meat or an opportunistic tiger might come along and take some, she thought.

Shouting came from the other side of the store.  She was getting use to it, all the shouting.  Finishing the small snack, Djada looked up for
another. There was the store’s owner, he was waving a metal rod and shouting.  A large crack filled the air as a fire erupted from one end of the owner’s metal stick.  The owner pointed the stick at Djada this time.  Sensing danger, the tiger promptly left.
The storeowner followed, shooting his gun into the air again.  More humans arrived, each carrying their own gun.  The tiger quickened her pace into the town and easily lost the crazed humans.

Djada darted down one alley after another.  Her heart raced.  Crazy humans, they’re going to hurt someone, she said.  The alley ended and beyond was a gathering of humans.  They all had their backs to her.  What were they looking at?
The tiger silently climbed a nearby tree to get a better look.  They, the humans, were surrounding a cage.  The cage itself was nothing special, flimsy and rusted.  There was something inside If Djada moved just a little closer.  It was another tiger!  It wasn’t moving, it was dead!  No, it was alive, but just barely.  The caged tiger was fighting to breathe, its tongue protruding and swollen.

The crowding humans were chatting softly.  The bold few stepped forward to touch the caged tiger.  One, obviously the leader of the show, was shouting loudly :
- Don’t worry, I assure you the tiger is drugged and won’t hurt you.
One of the onlookers reached out and yanked the tiger’s ear.  It tried a roar, but only choked.
- Come forth folks, we’ll be here all week.  Tell you friends.
This was awful.  How could they do this?  It was there and then that Djada decided to free the caged one.

***

The day grew on.  Djada seemed safe in her hiding place.  More and more humans came to poke at the cage tiger.  About every hour, a new person arrived to replace the speaker, and to inject another sedative into the tiger.  Slowly it grew dark, and the humans departed.  Eventually only the speaker remained.  He reached walked over to the cage and tapped the tiger on the head.
- Good work today, boy, he said.
Next, the human opened a nearby cooler.  He retrieved a chunk of almost rotten meat.  Djada could
smell it even from were she was.  Here you go, eat this.  The man tossed the meat into the fragile cage and sat down on the cooler.

It was time.  Djada jumped down from her hiding place and approached the cage.  The human looked up.  He blinked several times, and then opened his mouth in a silent scream.  Raising, the human ran off waving his hands above his head.

Djada stepped to the edge of the cage.  The putrid smell of the rusted cage smacked her in the face.  She winced and whispered :
- Hey, are you awake?
The other tiger groaned.  Djada circled the cage.  The cage was worst up close.  The wood that made the ceiling and floor were rotting and old.
The tiger inside remained still.

- Wake up, said Djada.
She knew it wouldn’t be long before the human returned with help.
The tiger in the cage opened his eyes.
- Hmm, who’s there?  My eyes haven’t cleared yet.
- I’m Djada.  I’ve come to free you.
- Well, thank you, my dear.  But, there’s this cage.
The tiger tried to rise, but fell as his muscles gave.

- Don’t worry, I’ll get you out.
Djada clawed at the cage.  The rusty bars creaked, but didn’t give.  The cage was stronger than it appeared.
- I can’t move the bars.  I’m sorry.
- Don’t be.  Try the gate, dear.
What?
- Oh, replied Djada.
She walked around the cage and pulled at the small door.  It creaked and slowly opened.
-The locks been broken for about a month now, I think.
Djada smiled :
- Come on, let’s go.  I can here them coming.
She turned to leave.

- Umm, I might need a little help.
The male tiger slowly stood up, still shaking in the joints.  Djada got her first real look at him.  His coat was shaggy due to his lack of quality food.  His left foot was injured and scared.  His face was tired, but his eyes were strong.  Bellow his drooping eyelids shined curious observant eyes.

- Oh, umm, here.
Djada moved next to the other tiger.  She braced him with her shoulder as they began to walk.

Shouting came from behind.  It was the humans, they were coming, and they sounded upset.

The two tigers continued their difficult journey.  Their progress was slowed as the male tiger collapsed to the ground every once and awhile.
- Leave me, they’ll catch me.  They always do.
- Don’t say that.  We’ll make it.
- If you say so, my dear.

The two traveled in haste, but the humans were closing.  Djada could tell the fast pace was hurting her companion, but he wasn’t complaining.  A shot rang out, with a shout, how’d he get out?

The two quickly ducked behind a bush.  Three humans paused nearby.
- Did you hear that? one asked.  I think they are in the bushes.
- No, wait I see them, shouted another pointing.
The three took off.

- Are you going to be okay?  I could lure them away, said Djada.
- No, I’m feeling better.  Let’s run for the forest.

Okay, call out if you fall.
The male tiger smiled.
- I will.

***

A few moments later the two were safe in the forest.  They had two more narrow escapes, but made it by the quick cunning of Djada’s new friend.

The two moved deeper into the forest and found a river.  The male tiger drank in much thirst.  He collapsed by the cool waters.
- Come join me, dear, he said.
Djada did, laying at his side.  He raised his head and looked at her.
- So, you are real.  I thought you might have been a guardian tiger, or something.  I mean you’re so beautiful and all.
It was the first time Djada had heard him uncertain and embarrassed.
- I haven’t had much experience with female, and  I should shut up.

Djada didn’t like making him uncomfortable.
- Maybe I should go.
- No! he said quickly.  Umm, please, I haven’t been around another tiger for a long time.

-What’s your name?

- Oh, I apologize, dear.  He was back to his confident self.  I am Hoska.
Djada stood and Hoska quickly looked over worried.  I’m just stretching, she explained.
- Oh.

Djada drank from the water.  It was cold, and clear.  At a playful thought, she jumped into the river.  Water splashed everywhere, mostly on Hoska. He sat up and gave her a most displeased look.  Djada splashed water at her new companion.

Hoska turned away, and Djada’s heart sunk.  Then, in one fluid movement, Hoska turned and pounced onto Djada.  The two plunged into the water.
The two laughed and played as the night continued.  The water eventually grew too cold and they exited.  Together the laid on their backs, looked at the stars, and dripped.

- What fun, commented Hoska.
Djada only laughed.  Hoska rolled over to look at her.
- Thank you.  Thanks for saving me.  I don’t know what I can do to repay you.
Djada stood and rubbed her face against his.
- You’re welcome.

Hoska also stood.  He returned the affectionate face rub and licked her between the eyes.  This tickled, and Djada giggled.  The two pressed their faces against each other, and whispered their dreams to each other.

Djada suddenly turned and walked from the river.  Hoska followed.  Djada descended to the ground.  Her tail swished anxiously.  Hoska descended above, straddling her.  He carefully mounted.  She shivered underneath him, it was getting cold but that wasn’t the reason.

This was new to both of them.  He wanted to ask her what he should do next, but he knew better.  She raised her hindquarters a little too far, pushing him off balance.  He tried several different methods to lower his hindquarters.  On his third try he lower his tail between her legs.  He was very aroused, and began to search her.  He continued to search for her. He began to worry as she moved to help.  He entered.

The two gasped.  They sat for awhile, enjoying each other’s breathing and each other’s warmth.  Hoska began very slowly, but quickly sped up.  The two grew to the high of joy, and roared in pleasure.

Filled with pleasure, the two continued into the night.  Their strips lined up as they hit their peaks.

***

The night filled with stars.  The two laid together talking.  They were mates, now and forever.

Djada sighed.
- What is it, Dear? asked Hoska.
- I was think of yesterday.

-Yes?

- Well, I was the humans.
- Foal creatures, huh?
- Not really, just scared.  I don’t think they want to share.  They are destroying our forest. And killing us.

- Why?  We don’t hurt them or destroy their homes.
- I wish I knew, Love.
- If they only understood us.

- That’s it, I think.  Understanding.  Understanding is the key to co-existing.  If enough of them think about us, understand us, then they
might realize what they are doing to us.

- How do we make them understand?
- We can’t.  We don’t speak Human.  It’s up to them to try and understand.

To share this world.

Silence.

- Are you crying, Dear?
- Yes, and no human will ever hear me.

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