How the Tiger Gets His Stripes This is an old story from Vietnam. This story is about how the first tiger gets his stripes.

A water buffalo is in a field. He is eating grass. The nice day makes him happy.

A tiger comes to the field. "Ahhh!" says the water buffalo. "A tiger! Help!" The tiger is not hungry. He does not eat the water buffalo. The tiger asks, "Why do you work so much?" "I don't know," says the water buffalo, "You are strong. The farmer is not," says the tiger.

"Yes, but he is wise," says the water buffalo. The tiger thinks about being wise. He wants to be wise!

If he is wise, he can tell the animals to do things. He can tell them to stand. He can tell them not to run. He can eat them without running!

The tiger wants to be wise like the farmer. The farmer is walking to the field.

"Hello!" says the tiger. "Ahhh!" says the farmer. "What do you want? Don't eat me!" "Make me wise, and I won't eat you!" says the tiger.

The farmer says, "I have something to make you wise. It is at home, but I can go and get it. How do I know you won't eat my water buffalo?" asks the farmer.

"I won't do that!" says the tiger. "Let me tie you to this tree," says the farmer.

"OK!" says the tiger. The farmer ties the tiger to the tree. The tiger cannot eat the water buffalo.