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The story below is based on our published version
Buy the published version here.
Please note that the story below is longer than our short published picture book. I wanted to add more details about how Gail and River first met, so here it is…
One sunny day, Tiger River was outside riding his little blue bike.
He pedaled along the sidewalk, his tail swishing happily behind him. River loved going on small adventures, even if he was just riding around a yard.
As he rode, he spotted a picnic table nearby. It looked like a fun tunnel to zoom through.
“Whee!” River thought as he steered his bike underneath.
But suddenly—bump!
River’s bike rolled right into someone’s feet.
“Oh!” cried a little girl as she stumbled backward.
Thump!
She tripped and fell onto the soft grass.
River quickly stopped his bike and blinked his big tiger eyes.
“I’m so sorry!” River wanted to say… but he was too scared.
The girl sat up and rubbed her knee. Then she looked down.
Right in front of her was the cutest little tiger she had ever seen.
Her eyes sparkled.
“Aww… you are so adorable!” she said with a smile.
She gently picked him up and held him close.
“Hi,” she said kindly. “I’m Gail.”
River’s soft orange fur felt warm in her hands, and Gail couldn’t help but giggle.
“You look like you need a friend,” she whispered.
Then Gail stood up and looked around.
“Come with me,” she said.
Gail carried Tiger River carefully into her house. Inside, everything felt cozy and safe. She walked him into her room and set him down gently.
“I want you to be comfortable,” she told him.
Gail found a basket and placed a soft blanket inside. She even added a little pillow.
Then she smiled proudly.
“Here’s your bed, tiger,” she said. “I hope you like it.”
River lay down in the basket. It was warm, snug, and perfect.
Gail watched him with a happy heart.
“Goodnight, little tiger,” she whispered.
River’s eyes grew heavy.
Soon, Tiger River fell fast asleep in his brand-new bed…
not knowing that tomorrow would be the start of something wonderful.
The next morning, River the tiger came walking downstairs. Soft sunlight filled the house, and everything felt calm and cozy. River blinked his sleepy eyes and stretched his paws as he padded down the steps.
At the bottom of the stairs, Gail was waiting. She smiled as soon as she saw him.
“Hello, Gail!” River said happily. “I love my new bed. It was so warm and comfy!”
Gail froze for a moment. Her mouth dropped open.
“T-Tiger… you can talk?” she whispered.
River lifted his head proudly. “Yes, I can!”
Gail’s eyes grew even bigger. “Wow! I’ve never met a talking tiger before!”
River chuckled softly. “Well, now you have. And my name is River.”
Gail’s face lit up with joy. “Tiger River! I’m so happy we’re friends now.”
River smiled wide. “Me too! I love making friends. And guess what, Gail? I have lots of friends!”
Gail leaned closer, excited. “Really? You do?”
River nodded. “Oh yes! Wonderful friends.”
Gail clasped her hands together. “Can I meet them?”
River flicked his tail playfully. “Of course! Come with me.”
Together, they stepped outside into the fresh morning air. The world felt bright and beautiful, full of green trees and cheerful sounds.
River walked ahead proudly and soon stopped near a friendly gray wolf.
“This is Wolfy,” River said. “Wolfy, this is my new friend Gail.”
Wolfy wagged his tail with a warm smile. “Nice to meet you, Gail!”
Gail waved shyly. “Nice to meet you too, Wolfy.”
River continued walking and soon they saw a sweet tiger girl carrying a basket of colorful flowers.
“This is my friend Alisha,” River said.
Alisha smiled kindly. “Hello, Gail. I’m so happy to meet you.”
Gail smiled back. “I’m happy to meet you too!”
Just then, a silly sound came from above.
“Who who! Ah ah!”
Gail looked up, and River laughed.
“And this is Monkey!” River announced.
Monkey swung down from the trees, hanging upside down by his tail.
“Nice to meet-cha!” Monkey said with a big grin.
Gail burst into laughter. “You are so funny!”
Soon, all of River’s friends gathered around Gail.
“I love all your friends, River!” Gail said happily.
River’s eyes sparkled. “And we love you too, Gail!” all the friends said together.
River stepped forward with excitement. “Would you like to play with us?”
“Oh yes, please!” Gail said, clapping her hands.
The friends ran through tall grass until they reached a wide sunny meadow. Wolfy raced ahead as fast as the wind. Monkey swung from branch to branch, laughing loudly. Alisha picked pretty flowers along the way, and Gail stayed close beside River, smiling the whole time.
“Let’s play tag!” River shouted.
Gail giggled. “You’re it, River!”
They chased each other across the meadow, laughing and running until they were out of breath. They rolled in the soft grass and felt happier than ever.
As the day went on, the sun began to set. The sky turned pink and gold, and the meadow glowed with warm light.
Everyone sat down together, tired but joyful.
“That was the best day ever,” Gail said softly, leaning against River’s warm fur.
River purred gently. “Every day is the best day when you spend it with friends.”
Gail looked up at him. “Can we play again tomorrow?”
River nodded with a smile. “Of course. We are friends forever.”
Gail smiled thoughtfully. “River… there is Someone who wants to be our friend forever too.”
River blinked. “Who?”
Gail said, “Jesus is God’s Son. He made the whole world, and He loves us very, very much. People do wrong things, and those wrong things are called sins. But Jesus loved us so much that He died on the cross to forgive us and wash our sins away. Then He rose up from the grave, so we can live with Him and be His friends forever.”
Wolfy’s eyes grew wide. “Wow… Jesus did that for us?”
“Yes,” Gail said. “And if you want Him in your heart, you can pray with me.”
The friends all bowed their heads together.
Gail prayed,
“Dear Jesus, I’m sorry for my sins. Thank You for loving me and dying for me. Please come into my heart and help me follow You. Amen.”
When she finished, everyone felt peaceful inside.
Alisha smiled brightly. “Now Jesus is our friend too!”
Gail nodded. “Yes, and He will always be with us.”
The stars began to twinkle above them as the night grew quiet. Monkey yawned and curled up. Wolfy rested his head in the grass. River purred softly beside Gail.
“We’re so glad we learned about Jesus,” Alisha said. “Now we’ll never be alone.”
Gail smiled warmly. “That’s right. Jesus is always with us. He loves us more than we can ever imagine.”
The friends joined paws and hands and whispered together, “Thank You, Jesus.”
Under the sparkling night sky, with a gentle breeze blowing through the trees, Gail looked around at her new friends and whispered,
“Goodnight, everyone. God bless you.”
And as they drifted off to sleep under the stars, they knew they would always have each other…
and Jesus, their forever Friend.
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