Thought I'd try out something new! This is something that's just more fun and bed-time story-ish. This also features feral animals instead of anthro ones. It came to me while thinking of the Sesame Street song, "I Don't Wanna Live on the Moon."...^_^; I know, right? Anyway, what the song inspired is the story that is ABOUT to be told, but this acts as a set up for the entire "series". And um...the narrator is a human. NOOOEEESSS!!! Just kidding on the reaction. :P Tell me what you think. I'd love to hear some feedback. :)

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In the wild and grassy mountain lands of India, there live a very interesting and unique family of Bengal tigers. What made these tigers unique? Well, instead of being orange with black stripes, these tigers are white with black stripes. You say you've never heard of such a thing? Well, I tell you, it's true. How did they get that way you say? I could tell you, but it's a secret tale. You have to promise not to tell anyone I told you. Do you promise?…Okay. Sit back and let me tell you the tale of the tiger and the moon.

Now this story was one that I learned on my many travels around the world. And let me tell you, I have been to many, many, many places. I've been to Africa to Antarctica; from England to Brazil; from Russia to Australia. But I have to say that one of the more fascinating places I have been to was the land of India. In there is a land that looks similar and plentiful like our land here, but there are several areas in which it is untouched. In that land I saw several new and wondrous things: thin trees that could withstand a lot of pressure; chipper and singsongy birds with bright and colorful plumage; mountains that stretched far and high into the clouds themselves! But one of the most interesting things that I saw were these white and black striped tigers.

I ran into one on accident while exploring the mountains. He jumped out of the greenery and pinned me to the ground in an instant, knocking the wind out of me. The feral creature hovered over me, growling, scanning my face. I feared for my life. I thought that my adventuring days were over. "Why have you come to this land?" the beast asked me, still holding me down.

I was in a panic. I barely took notice that a tiger was actually talking to me. I could only notice the ice blue eyes transfixed on me. I heard his voice rumbling deeply, and his fangs bared, ready to tear me apart should I give the wrong answer. "P-please," I stutter, "I'm just but a humble t-t-traveler. I-I mean no harm."

"Lies!" he roared. "You are a man. Men come only to take what isn't there's. They've come after me and my family just to have our coats. I will not allow anymore of this selfishness!" He withdrew his claws.

"No, please!" I yelped. I squirmed, but I could not lift the heavy tiger off of me. "I only wish to learn!" I screamed. My captors eyes refocused on me. I could not help but meet his gaze, probing my mind. "I-I-I only want to know more about the world. I just wish to find new things. Discover and partake in new ideas. I've lived an isolated life and h-have just longed to find more about the world. And n-now that I actually have the chance to travel, I want to find out everything: how the leopard got it's spots; what makes the wind blow; how do the stars stand in the sky; and why does the river run from the mountain?"

My assailant looked me over as I gave my reason. I hoped it would be enough to at least let me live. I heard the tiger give a low but softer rumble above me. His paws came off of me, and I was allowed to move.

I backed myself up and started to turn to run, not giving the tiger a second glance. "Hold!" he ordered. I turned back and finally got a good look at the beast. Indeed, he looked like a Bengal tiger, but his fur was completely white instead of orange! White like the snow on the mountain tops. He was also large and powerful, larger than any tigers or lions I had already seen in my travels! As I stood transfixed, he pawed his way over to me. His muzzle met my face, and I'm 6' 1"! He was also as long as two regular tigers.

He circled around me, inspecting me again. I stood still, afraid to move, but my curiosity begged me to speak. "Y-you're very large," I said.

"Indeed I am," said the tiger, still padding around me.

"Y-you look like a Bengal tiger, but you're completely white and much larger than any Bengal tiger I have seen!"

The tiger only rumbled in response. He soon stopped pacing, sat down on his hind legs and looked at me, his white and black tail swaying to and fro.

The silence was making me uncomfortable. I thought he had released me, but he still tried to stop me. His gaze was piercing, as if he were trying to size me up. Surely, he knew that I stood no chance against him. If he had wanted to eat me or just kill me, he would have done that already. "Um…may I ask what you are doing?"

"Come," he simply said.

"What?" I asked.

"You want to learn, do you not?"

"Yes!"

"Then follow me, and stay close."

I did as he bid me. We traveled through the tall grass and further up the mountain. The ground grew steep and craggy. My now guide was a lot better at handling this terrain than I, so I fell behind a bit, but he was patient in seeing me safely over the rugged rocks of the mountain. He then led me around the boulders and down into a ravine. From the looks of it, the only safe passage into the area was the path we were treading on.

We came to some leafy brush and the white tiger stopped dead. I bumped into him, and he snapped his muzzle toward me. He stared at me intently, and whispered in all seriousness, "Tell no one how you got here. Do you understand?"

I nodded my head and answered plainly, "Yes, I swear on my life that I will not reveal the path we took."

His eyes softened and a smirk came across the tiger's face. He looked satisfied with my response. The tiger lead me through the brush and I was greeted by seeing dozens of white tigers! They were huddled into different groups around the clearing. I saw cubs rolling around together, parents looking on, and saw several inspecting tiger eyes looking me over. Surely they had not seen a human in their clearing before. Several male tigers took defensive stances as I walked behind my guide, clearly the largest of all the tigers there.

"Stay yourselves, children," he ordered. "This man is of no harm to us." I heard him say those words, but I also heard a mixture of roars and purrs lying beneath his command. Many relaxed themselves and continued with their own duties; however, I could still feel many wary gazes upon me. "Stay close to me," the large tiger reminded me. "They will not harm you."

"What exactly are you tigers?" I finally asked as I walked beside him.

He chuckled, "Our actual name would be incomprehensible to the tongue of man, but you may call us by the color of our coats."

"So then, you are 'white tigers'?"

"To put it simply, yes."

"How is it that you all know the tongue of man?"

"I am the only one who fully understands it, man. Speaking of which," he stopped and sat in front of me. "Let me be more friendly with you now. What is it that you are called, man?"

"Many know me by the name of Aesop."

"Well Aesop, I am known as Siberius."

"You do me great honor, Siberius sir, in allowing me to come here." I gave my host a low bow.

"Humble too," he remarked.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I'm really more amazed at your manner, Aesop. A man comes through the land, honestly saying that all he wants is knowledge. I have not seen many men in my years that are as gentle as you and do not want something more in return or are trying to take something that is not theirs."

"Believe me, sir…"

"Sir? Please, do not be so formal, Aesop," he said with a grin. "In this clearing, we are all family. And besides, I saw no lie in your eyes. I know that you were being honest."

"Thank you…Siberius, but are you not the leader of these tigers?"

He gave a low chuckle, "No, dear Aesop. I have long since stepped down from that position. I act as the pack's guardian and advisor. They have a younger male as their leader, and he consults me from time to time on matters of mysterious circumstances. I merely watch over them." He continued to walk ahead, and I followed close behind.

"If you don't mind me asking, you referred to them as your children as well. Are they all your offspring?"

"That, dear Aesop, is actually a long story, of which I will tell you soon."

"Very well, Siberius," My mind was still nagging me to ask about a certain detail about the tigers. "Then can you tell me how you tigers are all white when your cousins are actually orange?"

Siberius laughed again. "We are very curious, aren't we?" He threw a paw on to my shoulder. His eyes were calm and seemed to speak of great wisdom. "All will be explained this evening."

I stayed my curiosity for the time being. My host led me throughout the clearing, showing me the wonders this piece of land held for their occupants. He told me stories: stories about the history of the land; how he found this place; their struggle to maintain it; their past encounters with man; and describing how large "the family" actually was, extending beyond this enclave of white tigers. He was merely patrolling the land, looking for something to bring back for his part of the pack for the evening when he spotted me on the mountain. He apologized for being so rough with me, but I completely understood his reaction after hearing about his past struggles with man. I felt so happy that this great tiger was sharing with me.

I even got to meet his pack. The adults were hesitant at first, but the cubs were eager and curious, for they had not met a man before. Siberius chuckled, "The young ones are very innocent. They haven't been exposed much to the outside yet." I could not help but think how cute they looked.

A young one, with a slight tuft of hair standing up straight on its head, a mohawk you could say, was rubbing against my legs. I couldn't help but giggle at the attention he was giving me. I cautiously and slowly bent myself down and extended my hand out, keeping it flat and open. The mohawk cub ran his muzzle along my palm. The short fur on the cubs muzzle tickled my palm, making me giggle again. "The child likes you," Siberius remarked with a smile.

"Well, he is precious," I responded.

"I think so, too. That there is my son."

A looked up a little in surprise. "Oh? This is your son?"

"My youngest one, yes."

"Well, I suppose that's a good sign," I muttered. After that, one of the female tigers, I suspected the mother of the cub, came forward. She stood over her child and looked me over. "Did I do something wrong?" I asked Siberius while staring at the female scanning me.

"She's just being protective of her cub, my friend. Just stay still."

I did as he said. I heard her growl slightly, and I had a slight twitch of fear, but I soon threw it aside and kept my face calm. The growl quieted, and she leaned down and nudged my hand with her head. I held my hand level with her head, and the tigress ran her head along my hand. I took it as a gesture of acceptance. I even moved my hand to behind her ears and gently scratched behind them. I was rewarded with what sounded like a slow rumble from her, a purr if you would call it that.

I smiled at the sound. I looked over to Siberius to make sure it was okay, and my white tiger friend smiled broadly. He pawed his way over to me. "She likes you too," he mentioned.

"I'm glad for that."

He offered his head, "Now me."

"Huh?"

"Do what you just did to her. I'm curious."

I stood to my full height next to the big tiger, and placed my hand on his head. I gave the top of his head a slow rub which Siberius seemed content with. I then moved my hand behind his ears and scratched there. I heard Siberius go, "Mmm," followed by a louder and deeper "purr" from the one I had heard before. "That does feel nice," he said.

"Well, I'm glad you like it," I said as I continued to scratch his ear and stroke his fur. The white coats of the tigers were soft and warm. I could also feel how strong and dense they were, especially Siberius, being the biggest of them all. I was very grateful to have gained the trust of these powerful and magnificent creatures.

The evening came around, and I followed my friend and his pack to what Siberius told me was the gather spot for the white tigers. The moon shined a bright white that night, and the young leader of the white tigers, stood upon a rock overlooking the area. He gazed down at everyone with his commanding look and gave a nod in my direction. I saw my friend slip away from me and head up the rock face.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Tonight is a special gathering in which I tell our history. Most, if not all, of your questions will be answered tonight."

I nodded in understanding. Siberius gracefully ascended the stone, taking a place beside the leader. They greeted each other by nuzzling their muzzled, and the leader sat down while Siberius stood. The rest of the white tigers followed the leader's example and sat on the cool grass of the evening. I sat as well while the mohawk cub from before nestled next to me, on my lap no less.

Siberius looked powerful and oozed poise and command while looking over everyone. The moon silhouetted his frame, giving him an other worldly presence. He opened his mouth speaking words in my tongue with an undertone of the tiger growls and roars, and he told everyone present this tale: