This school year, during LA (language arts), my class and I did many things. We read books, did IXL, had Membean tests, planked (not my favorite thing we did), and so much more. Even after doing all of these fun things, one of my favorites has to be the animal story. The animal story lets us use our imagination and creativity while still focusing on a larger topic. The topic we picked was endangered animals and the problems they face. The short story we each wrote was meant to spread information about the animals we had picked, in a friendly, but still lasting, way. We spent weeks taking notes, doing research, and making drafts until we finally did our last fixes and changes. The story really had an impact on my class. We all felt sadness and empathy for the creatures living in this harsh and cruel world. Those creatures that included us. I felt sad but determined in a way. I would spread the word and keep these animals from living a harsher, crueler life than the one they already had. So that’s how I created the plot of my story. Instead of trying to put light on the topic, I told people the reality, casting a dim, but knowledgeable, look at my story.

One big factor that led us to do the animal story was Squirm by Carl Hiason. This story follows Billy, a teenage boy, as he ventures into Montana looking for his dad, who left when he was a kid. Billy comes across shocking things in his journey which include poachers, a dead parrot, spy drones, lying, birds, especially birds, and other cunning details. Billy does find his dad, and finds a new love, Montana. This story doesn’t follow a sappy, happy, family story. It follows a relatable one. Billy’s family isn’t perfect, like all families, but it’s filled with love, problems for sure, but mostly love. We learned about the importance of nature and animals. We also learned how sacred it is (nature) and how we should take care of it. I took this message with me when writing my animal story (Sunda Tiger).

After reading Squirm, we partnered with local artist Peg Gignoux, where we each made hand crafted books for our animal story. We had many sessions with her where we worked on our books. The process was pretty easy and totally fun!

First, we colored and painted different patterns, textures, colors, etc. Then we started folding our books and making our collage. The only rule when making the book was to include your animal at least once and I decided to put mine drinking water from a water hole. The book setup was so there was an outside part peering into the inside part. (I put my animal on the inside). For the outside part of my book, I decided to put a bunch of trees so it would look like you were walking through the jungle. Habitat loss is one of the main factors in why my animal is almost extinct. With the expanse in modern agriculture, my animal’s habitat is slowly vanishing. What was once a safe haven for Sunda Tigers and other animals, is now a hotel, a grocery store, a shop, a café, or other buildings. These buildings are used for simple human needs. Water, shelter, food, etc, but what about my animal. What about Sunda Tigers needs? What about their life, not ours? What about their family? Their habitat? It’s a huge problem with us humans, not understanding the needs of other species, putting our own needs first. It’s very sad and depressing, how could humans be so cruel? But you don’t have to be as cruel, you can help the cause and help save my species. Here are some simple ways you can help:

• Spreading the word about animal habitat loss (the more helping the cause, the merrier)!

• Donating to a non- profit organization (such as WWF)

And reading books such as mine. Thank you so much for reading my blog post and I hope you will contribute to the cause! For anyone who wants, here’s my story:

Sunda Tiger

“Bang!” The gunshot rings in my ear, almost hypnotizing me. Almost. The man stalking me looks scrappy; he’s wearing a worn-out white tank and rotting jeans. He doesn’t look worth chasing. Tightly securing his cheap rifle, the man steps closer, making sure he’s as quiet as a mouse. A lame attempt, he steps on almost every leaf, making a satisfying crunch-like noise. I pick up my pace, moving with the grass. A stern man shouts, “Lagi ngapain? Kembali bekerja sekarang!” Signaling that the scrappy man’s break time has been greatly surpassed. He scurries away, whispering something shameful under his breath. I collapse on top of the dewy mixture, stones relaxing into my ribcage.

My scientific name is Panthera Tigris Sumatrae. Although the townsfolk call me monster yang ganas, or fierce monster. The name came rather amusingly. It was a somewhat dim day in the middle of summer, meaning lots of brainless tourists were visiting Sumatra Island. I ventured into the bustling marketplace, hoping to find my next meal. While surpassing the shocked townsfolk, I scavenged for my next meal. That’s when I spotted her. A tall, broad-shouldered lady with hair as red as bloody tomatoes. Yet it was not she who caught my eye, but rather the delicacy that lay at rest in her hand. “Sate Padang”, my stomach growled at the thought. Ruling out my more rational thoughts, I leaped at her, grabbing the satays she clung to. She screamed in a heavy British accent, exclaiming words I did not understand. With the food secured in my mouth, I made a run for it, the spices soaking into my teeth. When I reached a safe hideaway behind some thick trees, I heard the villagers speaking. I couldn’t make out exactly what they were saying, but I got the gist. They were speaking about the stunt I had pulled earlier. I had just closed my eyes, adjusting to the rough habitat, when I heard one of the older men exclaim, “Monster yang ganas!” I smiled, proud of my accomplishment, finally letting my eyes soak into the darkness.

“On the days I find food, I normally end up eating wild boar, since my species are carnivores!” I don’t know why this cringy voice popped up in my mind, but it’s really annoying since I’m trying to sleep. I’ve had the same dream recurring over and over again of me trying to kill a boar and failing. What a nightmare. Since I can’t sleep and am not ready to lose my dignity, again, I yawn, stretch my paws, and awaken. Still half asleep, I make the dumb decision that today will be the day I bust that stupid myth. I leap on my paws, striding across the rainforest. My confidence comes to a halt when I spot something in the distance… Or because I tripped over some puny little rocks, anyway, I hear the specimen snort, indicating that it’s probably a boar, taking my chance. I run towards the animal and pounce on it. I extend my jaw to the best of its ability and…. Let go? Lucky for me, the animal doesn’t go far, and I catch it easily, this time I don’t let my empathy get the best of me, successfully biting its neck. The thrill lightens me, the blood rests on my already blood-soaked teeth. I grin like a devil. “Once you kill the predator inside you, you become prey.”

“GRRRRRR!” rings in the distance like a death note. I’m trying not to think of how it all went wrong. It’s been two weeks since I killed that boar, and in that short amount of time, my life has split in half. “Behind me, you’ll see the excavation of Chuck Barnsley’s new palm oil plantation in South Sumatra! Indonesia’s favorite activist, Sunane Geoffrage, exclaims that the rapid expansion of agriculture, such as palm oil plantations, has resulted in a significant decrease in the habitat of Sumatran animals. Even with many doubts and worries, including those of Sunane, Chuck has assured us that the plantation will help us grow as a nation -” The man on the rusty television has been shut off aggressively by the owner of the house. I stiffen my position as the man stands up and walks away from the rugged couch. Ever since the excavation started down south, I’ve run north. Feeling safe and secure, I hid behind this house for shelter. I’ve been here since yesterday and plan to leave as soon as possible. Call me a coward, call me gutless, call me pultroon, but you will never know what it’s like to be hunted, killed, hated, loved, to have everything you’ve ever known ripped away from you. Or maybe you do. Humans can be cruel. Yet they can also be loving. They are the one creature that can choose to be prey or predator. And yet sometimes, the dark overpowers the light. You can be better. You should be better. You can help, and here’s how.

Sunda tiger conservation focuses on habitat protection in the Sumatran rainforests, anti-poaching patrols, reducing human-tiger conflict through community engagement (tiger-proof corrals and sustainable livelihoods), law enforcement against illegal wildlife trade, and scientific monitoring (camera traps and GPS collars) to manage populations and restore landscapes. Organizations like World Wide Fund for Nature, Zoological Society of London, and Wildlife Conservation Society lead efforts in critical areas like Berbak National Park and Bukit Tigapuluh National Park. Donating to trusted organizations and spreading awareness can help keep these animals safe.

As I wrap up, I want to thank you for taking the time to learn about my species. Sunda tigers are fierce and predatory animals, but they deserve a place in the world like any other creature. Please remember and share my story with others. Every voice helps. If you protect the rainforest, you protect me-and if you protect me, you protect an entire ecosystem. I hope you’ll join the efforts to keep Sunda tigers alive for generations to come.