The Tiger and the Wise Man

Author: Andrew Fusek-Peters
Paperback: 32 page(s)
Age Range: 4 - 8

Book Description:

When a Tiger plays a trick on a Wise Man, how will he escape being eaten, especially when it seems that all the animals are against him? Will the Jackal help him, or is it another trick? This traditional Indian tale is amusingly retold by professional storyteller, poet and anthologist Andrew Fusek Peters.

School Library Journal
In this long-winded, dialogue-driven Indian trickster tale, the wise man unjustly suffers the blame for all of nature's mistreatment by humanity. A large, dangerous tiger is caught and caged by the villagers. When a wise man approaches, he unwisely allows the animal to escape, only to learn that the ungrateful beast plans to eat him. In a cumulative sequence, the man requests the opinions of several animals and a tree in an attempt to negotiate his release from the tiger's paws. But a banyan tree, a crocodile, and an eagle are all unhappy with how man has behaved toward them and each agrees that the beast should have his way. A clever jackal outsmarts both tiger and man by luring the big cat back to his cage, anticipating a feast of his own. Bright, colorful artwork done in dominant shades of orange, green, and yellow brings out the natural surroundings amid the expressive portrayals of the tiger and traditional wise man. The twist of a good deed unheeded gets lost in the shuffle in this undocumented folktale. Additional material for read-aloud time.

Booklist
East Indian villagers trap a troublesome tiger who promises a "wise man" safety, if freed. Upon release, however, the tiger prepares to eat his liberator. The old man urges the tiger to seek other opinions, but three other creatures urge the tiger to devour the man, citing man's cruelty to their species. Finally, a jackal cleverly retraps the tiger but appears to have his own dinner plans in an ironic, ambiguous ending. Droll descriptions establish a tone more humorous than scary, as when the tiger opens his jaws, "He drooled. He dribbled. He had awful table manners." The brightly striped tiger dominates most spreads, adding dramatic tension, but silly facial expressions echo the light tone of the narrative. No sources are cited, but this well-paced trickster tale has charm.