Part 2 — The Jungle Does Not Clap for Dreams

The glowing eyes belonged to a fox. A very skinny fox. A very dramatic fox.

The fox jumped out of the bushes and shouted: “STOP RIGHT THERE, STRANGE RAT!”

“I’m not a rat,” Miko said proudly. “I’m a future tiger.” The fox blinked. Then he laughed so hard he rolled into a puddle. “A tiger? You look like a wet sock with whiskers.”

“That’s rude,” Miko said.

“That’s accurate,” said the fox. The fox’s name was Raku, and unfortunately for Miko, Raku decided to follow him. “You’ll die in two days,” Raku said happily. “Maybe one if it rains.” The jungle was nothing like the stories. No music. No magical light. Mostly mud, bugs, weird smells, and creatures screaming at night like unpaid ghosts.

On the first day, Miko tried roaring at a monkey. What came out was: “mrrrp.” The monkey slapped him with a banana. On the second day, Miko tried hunting. A butterfly escaped him. Twice. On the third day, he stepped on a sleeping turtle and apologized for ten minutes. “You are the least dangerous animal I’ve ever seen,” Raku said.

That night, they sat beside a river. Miko stared at his reflection. Still a cat. Still small. Still weak. “I thought changing myself would be easier,” he whispered. Raku suddenly became serious. “That’s the problem with dreams,” the fox said. “Nobody tells you they’re heavy.” The river moved slowly under the moonlight. Miko looked at the water and asked:

“Then why does anyone chase them?”

Raku smiled sadly. “Because staying the same is heavy too.” For the first time since leaving the alley, Miko said nothing. Then suddenly…A terrifying roar exploded through the jungle. Birds flew away. Trees shook. Raku froze. Miko froze harder. 

From the darkness emerged a real tiger. Massive. Scarred. Eyes burning like fire. The tiger looked directly at Miko. Then lowered his giant head and growled:

“Why are you wearing the smell of fear… and calling yourself my kind?”

Written by : Miko