Vladimir’s head swung violently around to catch Dash’s gaze and he roared “It was not justice! It was cor-up-tion. Evil creature must do evil things”.

 

Dash and Mr. Sea did not, or perhaps could not, move a single muscle. They were essentially glued firmly in place. The tiger began again, more subdued:

 

 “Government was caught being cor-upt. They needed scapegoats to pin crime. There were investigations. Many investigations. It was de-ter-mined that there was conspiracy to overthrow the king tiger who sits at the top of tiger so-cie-ty. This was act of imagination! No con-spir-acy, just illusion. Poor Vladimir and many comrades were forced into prison. In prison we learn to survive. It was hard life”.

 

Both gulped an audible gulp.

 

“But, in cage of prison Vladimir was introduced to the great writers of Mother Land. Writers like Lion Tolstoy and Anton Catov. Vladimir found inspiration in stories. This is when I decide to become professor of lit-er.a-ture. Life changes for Vladimir.”

 

Clang! Crash! Boom! Loud noises came from the kitchen. “Please excuse me for a moment Mr. Vladimir” Mr. Sea said “I will go check on our friend in the kitchen. See if he requires any assistance”. Mr. Sea then got up with a certain alacrity and bounced into the kitchen leaving a slightly nervous Dash to converse with Vladimir in the living room. “Be right back, just a tick” Mr. Sea said as his head disappeared behind the wall lined with historical fiction. 

 

In the kitchen Apollo was examining his dishes as if they were ancient artifacts left long ago from a lost civilization. 

 

“Apollo, how goes it in here? You are not going to believe who our guest is. A Siberian cat? Ha, that is a laugh. It’s an enormous Siberian tiger! A rather commanding fellow to boot. As large as a statue as fierce as a forest fire” Mr. Sea said, worry dancing on his face like a graceful ballerina. 

 

Apollo ceased his examinations and turned slowly to face Mr. Sea. He wore a look of utter incredulity tinted with a speck of fear. 

 

“ a...tiger?” Asked Apollo.

 

“A tiger,” answered Mr. Sea. “A large, fierce, intimidating tiger”.

 

“A tiger from Siberia?” Asked Apollo.

 

“A tiger from Siberia” answered Mr. Sea who then added in a whisper “who has been to prison... twice”.

 

“Who has been where !?” yelled Apollo, his voice much, much louder than he had intended.

 

“Shhh, keep your voice down foolish bird!” demanded Mr. Sea “ He will hear you.”

 

“You mean to tell me that we have invited a Siberian tiger, who has been to prison twice to be our roommate?” The anxious look draped across his face seemed to worry Mr. Sea even more than he already had been. 

 

The sound of riotous laughter wafted through the house and believe me when I tell you, the illustrious walls vibrated ever so slightly. Both Mr. Sea and Apollo sneakily poked their heads around the corner. They saw Dash pouring another cup of tea into Vladimir’s cup. Both wondered what they were chuckling about. 

Dash spotted their curious faces and looked up at them, followed by a turn of Vladimir’s head to get a look at what Dash was looking at. Swoosh! Mr. Sea and Apollo had retracted their heads back into the kitchen so quickly that it left Apollo with a slight strain in his neck.

 

“Might I tell you this is fabulous house”  Vladimir said, turning back to Dash.” I adore house built from books. Many fine writers live in these walls. Many fine ideas. I will enjoy living here”.

 

“Yeah it is pretty great. Never a dull moment when your friend’s home is built entirely from the stories of many imaginative people.” Dash concurred.