the one who didn’t know she was a tiger

a story of belonging for anyone who ever felt like a misfit

once there was a little kitten, and this little kitten loved to love.

she loved to chase and play, to tumble and pounce, to invite the other kittens into her exuberant expressions of joyful wonder. but the more she reached for them, the more they scattered.

some lingered just long enough to tease her, pretending at friendship, though in their hearts they were not kind. she was different from them, and different meant scary to some and intimidating to others. so they pretended to like the little kitten who loved so deeply, but underneath their meows and their kitty laughter, distrust shone from their eyes.

this was hard for the little kitten, and eventually she grew lonely and downtrodden. she began to wonder what was wrong with her, why loving so openly never seemed to work.

one day, she wandered far from her den and into the forest. there, among the lush green trees, she met a kind fairy with golden gossamer wings and a dress made of soft jasmine petals. she smelled of sunshine and softness and joy all bundled into one delicious scent, and the fairy was so warm and radiant that the little kitten felt immediately at peace.

sensing safety with the kind fairy, the little kitten padded timidly out of the underbrush, while the fairy floated down from the branch where she had been perching.

landing on the tip of her nose, the kind fairy gazed lovingly into the large yellow eyes of the little kitten and spoke in a voice like the dancing of water over shining stones, “the other kittens won’t play with you because you are not a kitten at all.”

“no?” said the little one, startled. “that can’t be. i run and jump and hide just like them. i have fur and whiskers and paws and—”

“yes,” said the fairy, smiling. “but have you ever noticed your shadow when the sun casts his golden rays over your sleek little body? how it stretches larger than the shadows of the others?”

the little one paused. “yes,” she said. “i thought the sun was playing tricks on me. he does that sometimes. but i know he loves me dearly.”

“that he does,” said the kind fairy. “for your heart is made of sun-gold. that is why your fur shines so brightly. and the black stripes upon you are there because your darkness is woven into your light, like a magnificent tapestry.”

the kind fairy looked at her with great tenderness. “you have been lonely because you are a baby tiger. and kittens are afraid of tigers.”

the little tiger felt something settle in her chest. “i see now,” she whispered.

after a moment, the kind fairy asked, “would you like to play with your own kind? you were lost as a tiny cub, but there are others like you. they are not afraid of your roar. they pounce with the same wild joy.”

“yes, please,” said the little tiger, her body squirming with eager anticipation.

so the kind fairy flew on ahead, guiding her through the forest until they reached a forest glen where the bright green foliage opened into a clearing. there, nestled behind a canopy of softly waving leaves, was a dark and mysterious cave.

the little tiger stopped and peered into its depths, smelling earth and warmth, feeling a gentle, cool breeze ripple through her fur.

and there, stepping into the light, stood the most majestic and regal cat the little tiger had ever seen.

“this is the queen tiger,” said the kind fairy. “and she is also your mother. she has been so sad since your disappearance. she believed you drowned in the river.”

the little tiger looked up at her strong, magnificent coat, her giant paws with claws like daggers, and her wise eyes like two full moons shining from the most radiant face she ever laid eyes upon. and she let out a small, squeaking meow. at that, the mother tiger leaned down and gave her a giant lick with her rough, scratchy tongue, at which point both tigers began to simultaneously rumble and hum with a delighted purr.

before long, the other tigers came to see who this newcomer was. the reunion that followed was full of wild merriment, their laughter ringing through the land in joyful growls and roars of belonging, as the little tiger played at last with those who knew her strength and loved her for it.

from that day on, the little tiger never wondered what was wrong with her again.

and in time, she grew into a queen of her own,

just as she was always meant to be.

---

thank you for being here, it truly means the world. i love hearing your thoughts, if you feel called to comment.

i am a writer, speaker, and musician devoted to healing and embodiment. i share essays, poetry, and original music through venus consciousness. i’d love to walk this path with you. 💞