In a few days time it was going to be a very special day for Shimoto. It was her birthday and she was going to be sixteen years old. In line with the traditions of her village when a person became sixteen they would be ready for marriage and had to select a spouse.

However Shimoto didn’t like this idea, the thought of having to grow up and be responsible meant she couldn’t go out into the jungle anymore and play with Mera. Her mother and sister were already busy preparing for her birthday and for the suitors that would be visiting. While Shimoto had the time she decided to go into the jungle and explain things to Mera, hopefully he would understand.

On arrival at their meeting place Shimoto called out. As usual he bounded out of the bushes and greeted her warmly with a big kiss.

‘Oh Mera said Shimoto, I have something to tell you’

They sat on a nearby rock; Mera could tell that something was wrong by the look on Shimotos face. Usually she was so happy; she always had a large smile which glowed like the rising sun. But today he noticed she couldn’t look at him and she appeared worried about something. As they sat down he gently clawed at her clothing urging her to speak while rubbing his head against her arm reassuringly.

‘My sixteenth birthday is approaching Mera she continued looking at the floor and fidgeting with the seam of her dress, and that means I am old enough to get married. My mother and sister are arranging for me to meet potential suitors over the next few days and I have to choose one. It means I won’t be able to see you for a short time, but it also means that if I get married I won’t be able to come out into the jungle and play with you anymore’.  

A wave of panic ran down Meras spine. He wasn’t too aware of human customs but he knew that whatever she had to do it meant he would lose her. He looked on helplessly knowing that he had no control over the situation. Hurt then turned to anger and he moved away from her letting out a snarl.

‘Mera said Shimoto in shock, I know this is hard but there is no need to snarl at me!’   

Mera went back and cuddled Shimoto trying to reassure her, but mostly himself that things would be ok.

            After she had bathed, Shimotos sister began the long process of fixing her hair and make-up while her mother was preparing food for their visitors. All sorts of plants, creams and powders were put applied to make her skin look flawless (although her skin was flawless already).

‘Oh sister said Chuntao combing the knots out of Shimoto’s hair, I remember when I was preparing for marriage it was a dream come true’

‘Yes…it’s fantastic’ responded Shimoto unable to think of anything else to say.

‘You are going to be a proper young lady now. When we were young I remember trying to put make-up on you and fix your hair, you always ran away. At last I get my hands on you’ Chuntao joked

Shimoto was trying to think of things to say to hide her displeasure at being pulled about this way but she couldn’t. All she could think about was Mera.

‘Now Shimoto, when you meet your suitors you can’t act like you do around the house. You must be polite, considerate and elegant’

‘What do you mean?’ replied Shimoto 

‘Well…you know…you are very wilful Shimoto bordering on unruly. It’s not attractive and if you want to…’

‘I will tell you this she interrupted, I will be myself and if I am wilful then wilful I will be’

Shimoto stormed out of the hut to get some air. This whole marriage business was getting out of hand and she was starting to panic. She never realized what big changes she would have to make, it was all getting to much.

‘Shimoto! called Chuntao, we need to finish your make-up. He will be here soon’

She went back inside as asked, knowing that at some point she would have to tell her mother and sister exactly how she was feeling.

There was a knock on the door of the hut, it was him. Shimoto’s mum and sister began to panic and quickly checked that Shimoto and the hut looked presentable. Chuntao positioned Shimoto on the Wicca mat directing her on how to sit before they invited their guest inside. Butterfly’s were raging in her stomach, when will this be over she thought.

‘Ahh, welcome…welcome. You do look grand, as so doe’s my beautiful daughter. Come…come’

He entered the hut and approached Shimoto.

            ‘Hello, I am Junjie’ he said introducing himself with a bow.

Chuntao and her mother left the room in order for Shimoto and Junjie to get better acquainted.

            Junjie had soft black hair tied into a bun, brown eyes, a strong jaw and smooth clear skin that reminded Shimoto of her own. He was physically very fit; Shimoto was beginning to think that getting married wasn’t such a bad idea after all. They spoke of many things, he told her about hunting and building huts; about the history of his family, his favourite foods and activities, and what Shimoto liked best all was he kept telling her how beautiful she was.

            ‘You are very nice’

‘So are you replied Junjie. So he continued shuffling nervously, will you allow me to marry you?’

‘This is a very big decision. I f I jump into lake and it’s too cold I can easily get out, this is different. I want to make sure I am making the right choice.’

They continued to talk until it was time for Junjie to leave. He kissed her tenderly on the cheek and thanked Shimoto’s mum and sister for their hospitality. After he left they rushed in and bombarded her with questions.

            ‘He is very nice said Shimoto, I might choose him’

            ‘Might replied Chuntao, he is gorgeous!’

            ‘This is a huge decision; I can’t just go ahead and marry the first man I meet’

Shimoto’s mother glared at her displeased.

‘He is from a fine family she said, he would do you well. What do you expect to do Shimoto play in the jungle forever?’

‘No mother, I want to make sure the man I marry is worthy of me, I am not rushing into any decision’

            ‘You mean I have to waste more of my fine herbs on you Shimoto?’

‘Well if that’s what you find important Chuntao I will meet the next man without any make-up. I think the amount of herbs I use is insignificant compared to the decision I have to make’ 

‘Stop it the pair of you Shimoto’s mum intervened, now I will boil up some water for you to have wash. Chuntao, help you sister out of those clothes’

That night Shimoto went to bed early. She couldn’t stop thinking about Mera and how guilty she felt not seeing him for days. She wondered if he was ok and what he was up to. They had never spent this much time apart since Shimoto was ten years old.

They had first met when Shimoto was seven, there had been a lightening storm and the whole village was in panic. The cattle had gotten scared and stampeded into the jungle. Everyone in the village was doing their part to try and bring them back, and among the fear and confusion little Shimoto got lost among the crowds. She however was not afraid, and watched the streams of blue lightening cut through the sky in fascination as the earth shook with the sound of thunder while the cool rain fell down onto her.

She wondered into the darkness following the lightening as it travelled east, and soon she was alone in the thickness of the jungle. She remembered stumbling across a clearing before she realised that she was lost. Cold, wet and alone the only light was from the streams of electric which tore through the sky.

            She had heard a deep grumbling sound which at first she thought was thunder. But when the thunder came and went the grumbling continued and she realised it was something else. Looking into the thick of the jungle she saw two bright orbs which she soon realised were eyes, paralysed with fear they looked into each other. Another lightening bolt lit the earth and what she saw striding out of the undergrowth filled her with dread; it was a huge male tiger. He approached her cautiously, looking at her with savage eyes and she began to cry. He sniffed her, his breath against her cheek she thought she would be eaten. She then recalled his expression changing, he looked at her with the tenderness of a farther and he licked the tears from her eyes and pressed his to head her side in order to comfort the crying child. He lay down and gestured for her to sit on his back, something she was far too big for now but missed terribly, and through the rain and the storm he led her back towards the village. She remembered many men out looking for her and she left the tiger and ran toward them. They wrapped her up in blankets and while carrying her back she saw the two orbs watching through the jungle canopy to make sure she got back safely.

The next day Shimoto’s mum and sister kept pestering her to marry Junjie to the point where it was becoming to much. She stormed out of the house and ran into the jungle desperate to be reunited with her friend.

            It was a hot day but there was a slight breeze that kept the skin cool. Shimoto found Mera sat at the bank of the river a few miles from the village. This was their favourite place to spend time together; parts of the river were well hidden with secret coves which kept them well hidden from passing hunters human and animals.

Shimoto lay down and rested her head against his belly.

‘Mera, I met a man yesterday. He is very nice, my mother and sister want me to marry him. He is very respectable and I do think he is very nice…’

            Before she could finish her sentence Mera sat up and began pawing at her in order to say ‘Don’t leave me’. This broke Shimotos heart as she felt torn between the duty to her family and her own wishes.

‘Last night I was thinking about the time we met, when I was young and lost in the storm. You saved my life’

Mera and Shimoto didn’t meet again until she was ten. By that time her mother allowed her to roam the village on her own. Shimoto had never forgotten that night and she became fascinated with the jungle and what was out there. All the children of the village were afraid of the jungle; they were told stories of wild beasts and monsters that roamed waiting for their prey. It was only the sons of hunters that were taken into it when they were ready to become men in order to hunt a beast and overcome their fears to provide food for the village. Shimoto was not afraid; she was in ore, and at the young age of ten she toyed with the idea of stepping into the jungle to find what lay beyond.

One day she was playing with a group of children from her village and they were daring each other to cross into the jungle. Never being one to back down from a dare she walked into it to the excitement of her audience. She walked and walked until the village was out of sight; her brain was screamed at her to turn back but her heart urged her forward. Suddenly she stepped into clearing and she knew where she was, it was the place she met the tiger all those years ago during the storm. She didn’t know why she did it, thinking back she couldn’t believe what a risk she had taken. But she shouted ‘Tiger…tiger are you here?’ The big cat walked out of the undergrowth. She remembered being afraid realising what she had done, and now she was stood in the face of a ferocious beast capable of tearing her limb from limb. She looked at him, the golden orbs were familiar to her, the eyes that looked over her and made sure she was safe. Ever since that day they have been the best of friends, looking out and guiding each other through life in the darkness of the jungle.

After a time basking in the sunshine, Shimoto had to leave Mera and return to the village. Over the coming days she spent her time being fussed over by her sister, nagged at by her mother and meeting more eligible bachelors who wanted her hand in marriage.

            Meanwhile Mera was bored and unhappy. He couldn’t help but think that Shimoto was spending time, and even worse potentially the rest of her life with a hunter.  These men set out to kill his kind and he couldn’t bare the thought of Shimoto becoming like them.

            A few days later Shimoto managed to break away from the attentions of her family and snuck out into the jungle. She reached the clearing and called out Mera’s name…then called his name again…then again. He was no where to be seen and she began to get very worried. She went to all the places they liked to go, the den, around the village of Feng and to the river but he wasn’t there. Thoughts that hunters from other villages might have killed him entered her head and she began to panic.

            As she walked back to the village through the clearing she saw the tip of an orange and black stripy tail peeking out from under a bush. It was a tiger. She approached cautiously not knowing who the tiger may be. Moving the branches back carefully she peered down and saw that it was Mera. He was half asleep and he was skinny and his fur looked dull.

            ‘Mera she gasped. What has happened to you?’

Mera opened his eyes and looked up at her pitifully.

            ‘Mera?’

He struggled to sit up, it was obvious that he hadn’t been eating or drinking and his body was exhausted.

            ‘This is all my fault wept Shimoto, stay here I will be back soon I promise’

Shimoto ran back to the village and took some meat and water. On her return she tried to give it Mera but he refused to eat any of it.

            ‘Please Mera eat’

He looked at her then lay back down, she tried desperately to lift him up but he snubbed her offers of help.

‘Please Mera I’m sorry I haven’t been around. I’m not going to leave you again I promise. I don’t want to get married, I want to play with you and be free to roam the jungle as I please. I promise Mera I won’t leave you’

He allowed her to lift him and he began gobbling on the meat and drinking the water she had brought. After he gained a little strength she helped him to the river. He walked with his head held low and ignored every attempt Shimoto made to cheer him up.

            ‘Come on Mera’ she pleaded

They got to the river and lay down. Shimoto cuddled into him and in time he licked her lightly on the cheek and snuggled into her unable to be upset anymore. Soon they drifted off to sleep.

Shimoto returned to her village as the sun was setting over the horizon. She was preparing for the argument she would have with her mum. Surely enough her mother stood waiting for her, arms folded and looking very angry.

‘Where have you been? Spat her mother, let me guess in the jungle doing god knows what’

‘Mum Shimoto said calmly, I have been thinking. I don’t want to get married. I will one day but when I choose to, and to a man that I choose’

‘What! You have plenty of men to choose from. What about Junjie, he by far is the best. He is from a wonderful family that will bring you and your children great things!’

‘Children? Simoto shook her head; she hadn’t even considered that prospect at all. I haven’t chosen any of these men, I don’t even know any of them and more importantly I don’t love them…’

‘These are respectable men, training to be the finest hunters in the village…’

‘Mum I don’t want to get married’

She looked at her daughter with shock and anger.

‘Get to bed’

The next day she was woken by Chuntao. Junjie was at the hut and Chuntao quickly fixed Shimotos hair and poured the herbs and creams onto her face. Shimoto however looked tired and not her best. She walked out slowly and saw Junjie looking as handsome as ever waiting for her. Her mother stood rigid to make sure her daughter didn’t say or do anything that would make the family look bad.

‘I’m sorry to disturb you said Junjie, the reason I am here I was wondering if you had thought any more about the marriage’

‘She will marry you!’ burst Shimotos mum

‘No, I’m sorry Junjie I can’t marry you. I don’t want to marry anyone right now, I’m sorry but I hope you understand’

A smile formed on Junjie face, he held Shimotos hand and kissed it never diverting his attention away from her eyes.

‘Thank you he said, I was not keen on the idea either. Not because of you, you’re an amazing woman. I don’t feel I’m ready. But you are special, and the day we are both ready I will be happy to be your husband’

Shimoto’s mum and sister stood in shock. Shimoto however was ecstatic, she never knew he felt the same and felt relieved as a big weight fell off her shoulders and she once again felt free. He thanked Simotos mum and sister again for their hospitality and left.

‘He’s amazing’ whispered Chuntao

The next day was Shimotos sixteenth birthday, she woke once again feeling tired; warn down by the battles with her mother. As Shimoto walked out of the hut the crisp clear day woke her immediately and the smell of her favourite food. Zong Zi, rice wrapped in reed leaves, Baozi steamed wheat bread filled with meat and for dessert Nian Gao a cake that encourages prosperity. 

‘Shimoto said her mother turning her attention away from the cooking pot, happy birthday. She gave Shimoto a big hug. Sit by your sister and I will get your presents’

Chuntao was sat grinding herbs.

            ‘What is going on?’

‘I spoke to mother last night said Chuntao, I explained to her the situation. You must realise Shimoto, she is from a different generation and getting married to her, like for me was something we always wanted to do. She couldn’t understand why you wouldn’t want to, to her that marriage is something you just do when you sixteen. I had friends Shimoto who cried before their wedding day, they didn’t want to marry either. You stuck up for your beliefs and I admire that, so I spoke to her and explained. She understands now, the best she can anyway’

            ‘Thank you Chuntao said Shimoto wrapping her arms around her sister’

            ‘So what about Junjie? Asked Chuntao, he is very nice’

            ‘Maybe one day’ Shimoto smiled

Later that afternoon, after the family had eaten and gave Shimoto her presents she went into the jungle to find Mera. Calling his name Mera bounded out looking like his old self. Is fur was glossy and he was full of energy just like he used to be. He tugged on the sleeve of her top eager to lead her to the den.

‘What are you so excited about?’ Shimoto asked while being pulled through the jungle.

When they reached the den, Mera rolled something out from under a nearby bush and picking it up in his powerful jaws dropped it in Shimotos hand. It was a huge multicoloured rock, as the sun hit it an array of colours from green to pink to orange and yellow streamed off its surface. She gasped at it beauty.

            ‘Oh thank you Mera, this is the best present I have ever had’

Mera looked bashful at that comment and him and Shimoto hugged. Now that she and her family were getting on, Mera was healthy and happy and she didn’t have to marry, Shimoto smiled as she thought of how this was the best birthday she had ever had.