Don't be Afraid, Little Ones (English Version) by M Christina Butler and Caroline Pedler

Don’t be afraid, little ones (English Version) By: M Christina Butler and Caroline Pedler Deep in the soft green shadows of the jungle Mother Tiger watched over her tiny cubs as they opened their eyes. The cubs grew stronger as the days passed by. Little Kai learned how to pounce... and Amber learned to make surprise attacks! At the end of each day the cubs snuggled into the silky safety of their mother’s side and fell asleep to the rumble of her purr. Then one night Mother Tiger went hunting. “Wait for me here, my little ones,” she said. When she had gone the night seemed bigger and darker, full of strange noises. The cubs waited and waited. “she’ll be back soon,” said Amber. But still Mother Tiger did not return. Through silver patterns of moonlight the cubs padded down the jungle pathway. Dark shapes and silent shadows followed them through the trees. Then from behind them came a noise. KRESEKK! KRAKK! WUSH! Amber gasped. “What’s that?” “I-I don’t kno,” whispered Kai. “Is it a crocodile?” They stared into the night, their eyes open wide, as the sound came closer. “Run!” growled Amber. “Run as fast as you can!” Crashing and bounding, faster and faster, the cubs raced through the grass. “STOP!” cried Kai suddenly. In front of them the river swirled dark and deep. The cubs could go no further, and the noise was getting nearer! With their ears flat and their heads low, the cubs turned and stood together. “We’re not afraid of you!” they roared in their loudest, fiercest voices. “even if you are a crocodile!” The grasses rippled and snapped, then out stepped… … Mother Tiger! “We thought you’d left us!” Amber and Kai cried. Leaping up to her. “You knew I’d come back,” Mother Tiger purred, nuzzling her cubs… “You knew I’d come back.” She purred. “I’m never far away.” Deep in the soft shadows of the jungle Mother Tiger and her cubs snuggled together. “I’m not afraid of crocodiles anyway,” Kai told his mother bravely. “Are you, Amber?” But Amber was fast asleep.