February 18. “Button, do you remember me telling you that only 1400 tigers are alive in the world?

Apparently, that’s an exaggerated figure and a much smaller number are actually alive.”

“That’s shameful. Even during bomb blasts or natural calamities, the actual number of those deceased is fudged. The numbers are always much higher. Why do they fudge figures?”

“To make sure that people don’t panic as well as give us some confidence in the ruling government. Now come and see this picture. It shows 5 tiger cubs taking a bow in front of visitors at a zoo in Fuzhou. They were trained to perform for the Chinese New Year celebrations because, according to the lunar calendar, China is celebrating the year of the tiger.”

“How did they train them.”

“Must have been painful for the tigers. Do you know how animals are trained to perform in circuses? These animals are meant to roam in the wild but man has taken a call to ruthlessly train them and get them to perform in circuses where they also spend the rest of their lives living in cramped cages.”

“I am shocked.  Honestly, I don’t know what to say.”

“Are circuses still around?”