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Let’s read a story about a young cub finding his direction of growth. SDG 15 life on land

Fierce-Face was born to a valiant tigress called Bagni, who took good care to
nurse him in secret. Fierce-Face, a small cub, was being trained to be a ferocious

tiger by his mother so that he can easily survive in the wild.

Along with hunting, Fierce-Face was taught to conquer his environment. No
tiger lives in places he cannot rule. Either he must remain utterly fearless or move
into new forests. The cats always make sure that both land and water are their

own servants. Wildwood or land they master within a short time. It takes them a
longer while to make sure of the rivers bordering it. In order to do this, tigers are

taught swimming.

This proved very painful for Fierce-Face. The cub was most unhappy about it.
But his mother was unyielding. After finding all pushing and cuffing worse than

useless, one sundown she took a decided step. Without hinting at what was about
to happen, she led him to a wide stream, deep enough to come up to the nose of
a cub.

There they both took a drink and rested. As if prompted by something unknown
Bagni plunged into the water. It reached to her throat. But no higher. Without

casting a single glance backwards, she headed to the other bank. After shaking
the water off her body, she mewed sweetly to her son.

His muscles stiffened. His eyes hardened. His tail Why do you think Just a Minute!

trembled, then stiffened like a rod. Fear of the water, it was important
and of losing his mother were upon him. Just then he for the cub to learn
swimming?
heard the loud snort of an animal from the rear. The
tigress came back swiftly and pushed him into the
stream, then started fording it with him.

valiant: having or showing courage
or determination
conquer: to gain control
unyielding: very strict
cuffing: hitting
prompted: caused someone to do
something
plunged: fell suddenly
glance: to give a quick short look
stiffened: became firm or more
difficult to bend
trembled: shook slightly
fording: walking across the stream

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