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When you Trap a Tiger

Introduction:

“When you Trap a Tiger" is a book that is based on ancient Korean folktales. The writer of this book “Tae Keller” is quarter Korean. As her half bloodline is of Korean origin, she is really interested in ancient Korean literature. This is a fictional book that is meaningful and fascinating at the same time. This story is also a story about two sisters who love their grandmother and are desperate to save her. There are many stories about the bond between two sisters, but this story shows the importance and the benefits of having a sister.

About The Author:

Tae Keller is one of the American children’s book writers. Her mother ‘Nora Okja Keller’ was half Korean. She was also a writer and inspired Tae for writing. Keller has written multiple stories. Her grandmother (Halmoni in native language) ‘Tae Im Ku’ told her many stories. Since she was from Korea, she told many ancient Korean folktale stories to Tae. She spent her childhood listening to the stories her grandmother told. Later, when she was forced to move for her studies she had no one to tell those ancient folktales. She tried searching it on the internet, but never found the ancient stories. So she decided to write her own story connecting ancient Korea to the modern West. Her globally renowned book “When you trap a Tiger” won a Newbery Medal in 2021. She became the youngest writer to achieve the honour.

Plot:

This story begins with a family of three driving on a rainy day. Two sisters Sam and Lily were about to visit their Halmoni(Grandmother). The elder sister Sam was really upset because of their mother’s decision. Lily was also sad because they had many friends in California and didn’t want to leave them. But Lily was happy at the same time because she was about to meet their Grandmother (Halmoni). Halmoni used to tell them ancient Korean folktales about two sisters and the tiger. Even though Lily and Sam loved those stories when they were young, Sam began to act grown up and started to dislike the stories. But Lily still believed them. Sam was always on the phone and their mother had an argument with Sam. Lily used to stay behind and watch them argue. Sam wanted Lily to be on her side but Lily was forced to be on their mother’s side. It was raining and they were frightened to travel because they had lost their father in an accident while driving in the rain. Then suddenly, Lily felt she saw a tiger in front of them. She screamed to stop but their mother kept driving. Nothing happened but Lily felt a bump on the car. The tiger suddenly vanished. Then she remembered Halmoni’s stories. Halmoni believed that magical tigers were real and were wandering around her. She had warned Sam and Lily about magical tigers and not to trust them. Even though Lily had taken those as stories she started to feel that it was real. When they reached and parked their car, they realised that they forgot the umbrellas at California. Then their mother ran towards Halmoni’s house. Sam and Lily also ran to the house unwillingly. They were completely drenched till the time they reached Halmoni’s house. But to their disappointment, Halmoni was not there. Halmoni’s house was in the middle of many trees and there was no information regarding Halmoni. Three of them were worried. Lily felt that the tiger did something to her but she wasn’t able to tell that because their mother had always warned them not to take Halmoni’s stories and tiger theories seriously. She told them not to encourage Halmoni to tell those unnecessary stories. Then their mother had to get in through the window. She was really embarrassed to do teenage things in front of her daughters. Then she opened the door and let them in. The house was a complete mess and was not the epic Halmoni house anymore. There were boxes all around the house. Then their Halmoni arrived. She looked totally different from before. Even though she became really old, her energy was the same. She was really happy to see her daughter and granddaughters in front of her. Since she was Korean, she was not able to speak English fluently. But still she spoke with them in English. Then when their mother questioned Halmoni about the boxes, Halmoni said that she was forced to bring those since the basement was flooded. They were really shocked because Halmoni was already too old and weak to shift the boxes alone. Then their mother started to bring their items and luggages from the car to Halmoni’s house. Then Lily told Halmoni about the tiger she saw. Halmoni was really amazed and she told Lily to be aware of the tiger as it was searching for Halmoni. Then they had food. Halmoni was really good at cooking ancient Korean dishes. She made really tasty Kimchi and Rice Cakes. Halmoni always taught them to feed the ancestors before eating as the ancestors would save them from every upcoming danger. Then they all went to bed after having food. At night Lily was not able to sleep. The tiger kept coming to her mind. At midnight she woke up and went downstairs. It was really dark and she met the magical tiger there. The tiger introduced herself and told that she was a female tiger and female tigers were not cruel and mean like male tigers. But still Lily remembered Halmoni’s words to not believe Tigers. Then she heard Halmoni vomiting. The tiger told Lily that she can cure her Halmoni but she must return the stories. Then the tiger vanished. Lily was going upstairs. Halmoni noticed it and she called Lily. She told how she had stolen stories from the stars and the tigers. Then Lily thought of returning the stories. The next morning, Lily’s mother told Lily to visit the library and make some friends. Lily felt strange because she was always scared of that library across the street. But she still said ‘ok’ so that it would make her mother happy. THen she went to the library. There she met Joe(The librarian), Jensen(A teenage girl) and Ricky( A boy who took classes from Jensen). She introduced herself and became friends with Ricky. Ricky's grandfather was a tiger hunter and Ricky decided to help Lily to build a tiger trap. Lily was happy because the library also gave delicious food to the visitors. Then Lily and Ricky went towards the basement. LIly was shocked to find the basement completely dry and empty. They made a tiger trap using boxes and a rope. After that Ricky Returned. Halmoni planned to take Sam and Lily to the market. Sam did not want to go because their mother had strictly prohibited Halmoni from driving. Halmoni took the opportunity to drive when their mother was out of the house taking a job interview. They reached the supermarket but caused a mess. Everyone really liked Halmoni because she was really kind and helpful. Ricky and his dad also helped them to clean up the mess. Then when they were returning, Halmoni started throwing up. Sam and Lily were really worried but luckily they were able to contact their mother and save Halmoni. That night Lily met the tiger and gave the first jar. The tiger told the story of the star trapped in the jar. Then told her to bring her rice cakes the next day. Then the next day Sam and Lily found out that Halmoni had brain cancer and would not live any longer. They were really worried but Halmoni told them not to be. Then Lily asked Halmoni to make some rice cakes but she said ‘later’. Lily was forced to make it herself with Ricky. Even though they were not good. They still made it. Then the tiger came and told the story in the second jar the next day. The tiger also ate the rice cake. A final jar was left. The next day Lily and Sam went to the library. Till that time Sam was also good friends with Jensen and was really close with the people who visited the library. Ricky’s friends were also there. They called Halmoni a witch which frustrated Lily. She remembered how Halmoni had once fed mud to Lily’s father for speaking too much. Lily also fed mud to Ricky by keeping it in his chocolate porridge. When he figured it out Lily fled towards Halmoni’s house. Sam informed it to their mother and their mother had first time scolded Lily furiously. By the time the sisters' bond had grown strong enough. Lily had also met the tiger in the library but her words had made the tiger go away. Ricky’s father had given Job to Lily's mother. Lily apologized to Ricky and he also forgives her. Halmoni had also acted strange and vigorous in a restaurant that made them worried more. Once Halmoni also saw Lily as a tiger. The tiger stopped coming. The final story was left to be told and Halmoni’s health was getting worse. Then she figured out that Sam went outside every night to spread rice as Halmoni had said to do because it would do them good. One night Lily waited for the tiger to complete the story but she never came which made Lily extremely furious that she smashed the glass jar and freed the story. The same night Halmoni suddenly collapsed and Lily’s mother called the emergency. Lily and Sam kept watching their Halmoni being taken away. Then they also decided to go to visit their Halmoni because they knew it would be their last time seeing their Halmoni. Sam was really scared to drive because it was raining heavily outside. Then Lily decided to take help from the tiger, but the tiger didn’t come. Then she remembered meeting the tiger at the library. She went to the library. Since the door was closed she sneaked in through the window. After calling for some time and apologizing to the tiger, the tiger finally came. The tiger said that it was not necessary for Lily to listen to the final story. Then the tiger decided to help. Lily went and informed Sam about it. The tiger started walking slowly. Even though Sam did not see the tiger, she knew it was there because the path the tiger walked had less rainfall than the other places. Then they reached the hospital. Lily thanked the tiger. Then they rushed towards the room where their Halmoni lay. THen Halmoni gave three of them advice turnwise. Lily went outside and saw that the tiger was also there. She was there to say goodbye. Halmoni had always said to Lily that her mother left her when she was very little and she ran across in search of her mother. Lily felt that the tiger was Halmoni’s mother. Then Halmoni called her. Halmoni also said to Lily that she felt like she found her mother. Then Halmoni breathed her last breath. Halmoni was active till her end. Lily believed that Halmoni would be the same even in her new life. Then they returned home. They planned to make Halmoni dishes and give them to people at the library the next day. The next day many people arrived at the library. Lily, Sam and her mother distributed Kosa and many other foods at the library. Everyone loved those dishes. Sam and Lily were really shocked when they found out that their mother would cook so well. She made really nice rice cakes. Lily and Sam were now happy because Lily was about to go to the school with Ricky and Sam was already good friends with Jensen. Even though Halmoni's house and that place was not the same as before, it was special to them. They then lived there missing their Halmoni and their lost father.

Critical Analysis:

“When you Trap a Tiger” by Tae Keller is a book about a shy, American Korean girl who moves to live with her grandmother. The story mixes real life with ancient Korean folktales. The tiger asked Lily to make a deal and save her Halmoni. The tiger represented the history, stories and the pain that was hidden in their family. One half of the book is based on Korean culture. Using ancient Korean culture, food, language and folktales the author connects generations. This book is based on the theme ‘Story Telling’. Halmoni’s stories are not just ordinary stories, they have truth, love and even regret. This book is also informative. Lily learned that bravery does not always need to be fighting loudly. Sometimes bravery can be proved by just speaking the truth. It may be confusing to the people who love truth reading as it connects magical folktails. The book teaches that facing pain can lead to healing and understanding.

Conclusion and Recommendation:

This book is a really interesting book to folktale lovers. When I heard the name of this book, I thought that this book is related to real tigers and is fact based. But actually it is a story of an ancient magical tiger. All the countries have their own beliefs and cultural theories. This story is based on the ancient beliefs of Korea. This book gives life lessons to all the children through folktales. It teaches that bravery does not always have to be fighting loudly, it can also be proved by telling the truth. Just like how Lily, a so-called QAG(Quite Asian Girl), proved her bravery by telling the truth and never hiding anything. It also teaches that facing pain can lead to healing and understanding. In the story Lily and Sam also understood many things when they were worried about getting scammed by the tiger. I recommend this book as it is entertaining and informative.

While reading this book I imagined this story taking place right in front of me. Some parts feel funny but that is what modern people do nowadays.