By Michael Owens

Before the man opened the door, he thought of what would happen if he won the beautiful woman. He would not die, but would it be worth losing the love of your life? The man was so deeply in love with the princess, that he would give his life for her, but nothing is as bad as having to marry a woman he did not love. The man knew what would happen if he picked the door with the tiger. He hated both of the horrible choices.

He opened the door slowly, the crowd on their feet. Behind the heavy wooden door revealed a ferocious looking tiger; its teeth whiter than the rolling clouds, claws sharper than any dagger. The princess shrieked. The guard had told her the wrong door. The tiger looked at the man with hungry eyes and walked out of the door; but for some reason hesitated in striking him. The man just stood there patiently waiting for his death. He thought that the tiger seemed familiar but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Everyone, including the king, was puzzled. They started shouting, "Eat him! Tear him to shreds! Claw him to pieces!"

The tiger came closer to the man. The man had so many butterflies in his stomach, he was about to explode! But he was ready for what came next. The tiger was but five feet from him. The crowd went wild. The princess was crying her eyes out. Just as the tiger was going to pounce, he sniffed the man and licked him! The entire stadium was full of open mouths and wide eyes. Suddenly the man remembered that about fifteen years ago, he found a baby tiger stuck in a bear trap that he rescued. The baby had a pink nose just like this tiger’s, and had a scar on his right leg. It was the same tiger. The man petted the tiger’s neck, and it purred like a kitten.

The king did not know what to do. The man picked the door with the tiger behind it, but it was the friendliest tiger ever seen. The kind had no choice but to let the man free. After the man was escorted to outside the arena, the king came up to him and said, "Anyone who can pet a wild tiger and live to tell the tale is worthy to be with my daughter."

"Thank you," said the man, "I will care for her with all my heart."