Mister Man,
Bengal Tiger – (c) Gabriel Leboff
I remain quite astonished by the fascination I hold for you!
In truth, I am only passing through, in search of breakfast…
I sometimes think, lost in reverie, of the days when I could cover such vast territories disturbed only by other tigers and tigresses, now and then a leopard, the birds, and so many other animals.
It happened that I crossed paths with you. The struggle between us sometimes turned in my favour, and your flesh was quite tender and nourishing (laughs!).
But you reproduce so quickly…
My strength and courage alone can no longer suffice, and our contest is no longer truly a duel.
Now, when I cross the track and look at you, astonished to still be alive, I simply wonder for how much longer…
Bengal Tiger – (c) Gabriel Leboff
Mr Tiger,
You cross the track with such dignity that I can only bow before you; your gaze pierces me and emotion makes me tremble.
I do not know if I was right to come and see you, but I felt I had to. I see all these people rushing for a photograph.
Have they even felt the weight of your History, several thousand years old?
Tiger, if I do not come, poaching and human folly will doubtless condemn you irrevocably.
In paying you this tribute, I want to believe that I am helping you, that I can save you. Please, Mr Tiger, fight to live, and prove to us that we can still dream wide awake, of Mowgli and Shere Khan.
Journey taken in March 2011, with Étendues Sauvages.
Images, Gabriel L.
(c) images and text, Gabriel Leboff
