Five Tiger Warrior

The Boy and the Tigress

Long, long ago, there lived a poor lad named Tsu in China. He eked out a small living by cutting firewood and lived with his mother after losing his father at a tender age.

One day, while Tsu was cutting wood in the forest, he heard a soft moaning coming from a clump of bamboo shoots. The clump was dense, and he could not see what was making the noise. So, with his axe on his shoulder, he approached the clump carefully, mindful of the sharp bamboo that could injure his feet.

As he peered through a clearing, he saw a tigress with its forepaw caught on a sharp, pointed bamboo. It could not pull its foot free and was growling in pain.

Rescue and Gratitude

Moved by the helplessness of the animal, Tsu returned home and told his mother, “Mother, I saw a tigress with its forepaw stuck on a sharp bamboo. We must save it. Please come with me.”

Mother and son ventured back into the forest and reached the spot where the wounded tigress growled in pain. Tsu freed the tigress, while his mother applied ointment to its wound. The tigress seemed to understand that they meant her no harm and stood still in their presence.

As they prepared to leave, Tsu’s mother bowed to the tigress and said, “O tigress, we are poor people. That is why my son remains unwed; no one is willing to give a daughter to a poor boy. You must arrange for him to be married to a nice girl.”

Tsu laughed at his mother’s simple words, and the tigress watched them until they disappeared from sight, after which it limped into a thick bush.

An Unexpected Encounter

Several days later, a rich man carried his daughter in a palanquin through the forest, intending to marry her off to a wealthy suitor. Suddenly, five tigresses emerged from the jungle and blocked their way. The members of the retinue fled in fright, but the girl was not allowed to get down. The fierce animals stood guard, preventing anyone from approaching the palanquin.

A little while later, Tsu heard a knock at the door. He opened it, astounded to see five tigers standing there with a lovely girl. The tigers smiled at him, leaving the girl behind before wandering off.

The handsome woodcutter married the girl, but soon, the rich man discovered his daughter was missing. Furious, he filed a lawsuit against Tsu and his mother, accusing them of stealing his daughter. Tsu had to explain his situation, recounting how the tigers had brought the girl to him. However, no one believed his story, not even the magistrate.

The Tigers as Witnesses

Then Tsu’s mother declared she would bring the tigers as witnesses. The magistrate laughed and said, “You’ll bring the tigers to speak for you? Very well, do your best, but until then, Tsu remains in jail.”

Tsu’s mother went to the forest and soon returned with the tigers. Naturally, everyone fled in terror except the magistrate, who was paralyzed with fear. After regaining his composure, he asked the tigers whether they had indeed brought the girl to Tsu’s house. The tigers growled in affirmation. Satisfied, the magistrate dismissed the charges against Tsu.

A Hero’s Rise

That year, cannibals from the forest raided the city, and the King was powerless to defend the people. Citizens urged the King to call upon Tsu and his five tigers, believing they could save the city. Tsu agreed and sent his tigers against the cannibals, who fell back under the fierce onslaught of the wild animals. In fact, all the creatures of the jungle came to Tsu’s aid, and the cannibals were completely routed.

Out of gratitude, the King made Tsu the commander of all his forces and bestowed upon him the title of “Five-Tiger Warrior.”