I recently wanted to add a comment to a blog which responded by asking me to identify myself. The comment box asked for a little known unusual fact about me. I responded with a 118 word narrative to find that this became my comment on the blog submission . It was completely off base, but I rather liked it so I post it here.
DON’T STEP ON MY TIGER.
When I was very young, I had a pet tiger. He did everything with me. I was fond and protective of him and annoyed when people stepped into his space. That’s until my parents banished him. They said that it was unhealthy for a child to have an imaginary friend. A little later I remember their look of horror and behind-door whispering when I brought home my first art class creation. It was, of course, a clay model of a tiger. He sat with his tail sticking straight up into the air. I treasured him but when we moved houses he disappeared. Now, an old lady with Parkinson’s, I can hallucinate him back into my presence. No-one complains.
jstansfeld 
I’m sorry but I just had to read this again; in my last comment I mentioned literary antecedents but this is a very fine piece in its own right, even magical; the ending is brilliant !
Thank you for these kind words. It is good to be able to tie something which happened years ago in one’s youth to the aging present.
a lovely piece of writing; tigers are perennial favourites in literature as in William Blakes’ poem, the one we all learnt at school, and Judith Kerr’s wonderful ‘THe Tiger Who Came to Tea’ which I read continually to my children and grands. Your piece is very lovely and unique 🙂
I agree. Tigers make good subjects – even the word ‘tiger’ bewitches. For me “lion” or “leopard’ don’t have the same impact.
it;s strange you mention that: it is true — some words have a strong suggestibility which other related words lack
judging by your writing I don’t think that old age is affecting your mental abilities and causing any eccentricities. Parkinson’e does cause hallucinations in some – but not me that mention is mere writer’s liberty..
Glad to know all my eccentric ways can now be blamed on my age. 🙂 What a comfort that is to know.