The look in the tiger’s eyes was one of determination. Jaka knew that hunger burned inside those almond shaped eyes as he stood there on the edge of the deep ravine. This test of manhood that he had waited for his whole life had been more trying than he had expected.
He stood there with his pulse racing as the tiger waited for Jaka to grow tired and drop his guard. He almost did, until behind Jaka on the other side of the foliage, which hid the river from sight, he saw a tree rise from the depths that would either be his salvation or his end and gave him the inspiration and courage he needed to finish this.
He knew his broken spear wouldn’t kill the tiger, but it could enrage him. Jaka tightened his hand around the spear and ran toward the tiger, plunging the tip into its side. The tiger swiped his paw, but missed as Jaka dodged and ran through the foliage.
Jaka leaped toward the tree so close, but so far. As he hung from a branch of the tree, he knew he was now a man as the tiger fell toward the river below.
Jeff Norberg has always had a passion for writing and wrote for 180, the online magazine for his church. Norberg has written short stories and poems, two of which can be seen on allaboutreflections.com. Norberg is working on a young adult fantasy novel and loves to watch the creative spirit at work in himself and in others. You can visit Norberg's website at: jeffnorberg.com
© 2007 Jeff Norberg. Original for CCF (Norberg grants CCF first electronic rights for one month; CCF may archive the material indefinitely and include it in an eBook anthology).
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