tiger bus

     I am on a bus with a group of strangers.    Where we are headed, I do not know. On this bus someone has a full-grown Bengal tiger, unleashed. 

     Throughout the dream, the tiger is leaping over the seats – agitated. Never does this tiger maul anyone, but it seems like it wants to, and any sudden or wrong move by anyone would prove deadly. I am constantly on guard. 

      We make frequent stops and the tiger is let out to roam free. He is prowling and pouncing at others including myself, but never in full attack. The tiger seems angry, or perhaps just bored. At one point I am standing outside the bus and trying to avoid this wild tiger that is looming around waiting for something to chase. In one instance, the tiger is at my feet, snarling. I have to keep my cool yet be stern with this beast. I extend my arm and my point my finger out and away from me with authority, the way I use to do with my dog; just a serious look into his eyes and a firm point off into the distance. 

      The tiger responds, partly confused, partly submissive to my command. Still he doesn’t move, only stares up at me in a sort of crouched position. I have to drop all fear and be sure not to spook the tiger or entice him with any sudden movement, nor by trying to walk away from him or escape. The tiger eyes my every subtle nuance. Any attempt to flee would prove fatal. 

        I am on edge…and so is this tiger. 

        We go through these motions a number of times, on and off the bus. The whole time I am wondering what kind of idiot would keep bring this tiger on board as if it was merely a pet. 

        Flash forward to a scene in which I am again standing outside on the pavement near the bus. The tiger now has his giant paws wrapped around my legs, claws out, with his mouth around my calf. I can feel his teeth slightly sinking into my leg. He is just staring up at me, waiting for me to be dumb. I am at a standstill. I am now frightened. 

       I wake up. 

       A bit later I google the tiger dream and it all seems to make perfect sense. Still, this is my first dream with a tiger, and one of the most intense.