Tigers Are Friends, Not Food

Authors Note: This is a theme essay about the book Life Of Pi. The theme to this book is "Determination." I am trying to work on my sentence fluency. 

What would you do if you were stuck in the middle of the ocean with only a tiger as a companion? I know, scary thought isn’t it. It takes real guts not only to face a tiger, but not to give up when you are starving at the same time. Pi got through this situation though. No I’m not talking about cherry pie, I am talking about Pi Patel. A 16 year old boy her was one of many who survived a sinking boat. Pi and Richard Parker (The tiger) have to stay alive and not give up hope. It takes real determination to make it through a hard-hitting situation like this.

Pi needed to stay hopeful and determined in order to get to land; otherwise he wouldn’t live to tell his story. Pi built a raft in order to stay away from his tiger friend but soon after the raft had gotten lost in the ocean and they have to share the small boat. All they had for food was water cans and crackers until it got lost and both Pi and Richard Parker had to help each other for food. After their food ran out they needed to catch fish in order to live. Until Richard Parker fell off the boat and Pi had to make a decision. Would he leave Richard Parker in the ocean, or help him and they both stay alive together?

When Pi got to an island he found out what the island meant. The island had great food, fresh water, and beautiful wildlife. He ate the food, drank their water, and slept in a tree. But when he was awaken by a pack of Meer Kats, he realizes that he needs to leave. The island is beautiful and nice in the morning but dreadful by night.  Later that night he found a tooth from a dead person showing what would happen if he stayed there. The fresh water was turned into acid and Pi realizes he needs to leave because he is determined to stay alive.

Determination couldn’t be a more important lesson in life. For Pi, it was the only reason he didn’t die. Losing your family and friends in a ship wreck and all you have is a life boat and a tiger, making yourself through can be a little difficult. Pi did it though, all it took was the determination and hope of him making it through and he did it. Like the saying goes when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Or in Pi’s case, when life gives you a tiger, you make a voyage of determination out of it.