The Tiger phoned the Zebra and invited him to dine.

He said, “If you could join me that would simply be divine.”
The Zebra said, “I thank you, but respectfully decline.

I heard you ate the antelope… He was a friend of mine!”



On hearing this, the Tiger said, “I must admit, it’s true.

I also ate the buffalo, the llama and the gnu.

And yes, I ate the warthog, the gazelle and kangaroo.

But I could never eat a creature beautiful as you.



“You see, I have a secret I’m embarrassed to confide.

I look on you with envy and a modicum of pride.

Of all the creatures ever known,” the tiger gently sighed,

“It seems we are the only two with such a stripy hide.



“Now, seeing as we share this strange resemblance of the skin,

I only can conclude that we are just as close as kin.

This means you are my brother, and though fearsome I have been,

I could not eat my brother. That would surely be a sin.”



On hearing this, the Zebra said, “I’m certain you are right.

The stripy coats we both possess are such a handsome sight.

My brother, will you let me reconsider if I might?

My calendar is empty, so please, let us dine tonight.”



The Tiger met the Zebra in his brand new fancy car,

and drove him to a restaurant. It wasn’t very far.

And when they both were seated at a table near the bar,

the Zebra asked, “What’s on the grill?” The Tiger said, “You are!”



“But please, you cannot dine on me!” the outraged Zebra cried.

“To cook me up and eat me is a thing I can’t abide.

You asked me for your trust and I unwarily complied.

You said you could not eat me, now you plan to have me fried?



“And what about the envy and the modicum of pride?

And what of us as brothers since we share a stripy hide?”

“I’m sorry,” said the Tiger, and he smiled as he replied,

“But I love the taste of zebra, so in other words… I lied.”