This story was inspired by a National Geographic article on tiger hunters in India that I read over the summer. I wanted to make a story that younger adults could relate to, while also raising awareness as to why people still poach endangered animals.

Chup is a fourteen year old boy who lives with his family in Indore, India. He is the only boy of his 3 siblings and is expected to carry on his family’s legacy of tiger hunting. However, despite being raised by his father to become a poacher, he isn’t sure that’s what he wants. Chup is faced with the possibility of disappointing his parents or catching and killing his first tiger. After celebrating his birthday, he becomes old enough to finally go on his first hunt. The family must relocate after authorities in their old village were getting too close to finding them. On their way to their next home, they hear rumours of one of the biggest tigers ever seen in a reserve and decide to set up camp and venture into the forest in search of the beast. Read on and watch him navigate parental pressures, cultural expectations and what happens when he is faced with the biggest decision of his life.