- Mr. Rogers: [shows toy animals of a giraffe, an elephant, and a tiger] These are just toys that people can play with, but you know there are such animals that live in the world. Mmm-hmm, real ones. In fact, they're bigger than this whole room here. They're bigger than this bench,
- [pats the bench]
- Mr. Rogers: and they're taller than I am.
- [stands up]
- Mr. Rogers: [after returning from a visitthe to wild animal park] Isn't it wonderful to see those animals and to know that there's a place where they can be safe and live the life that they feel comfortable living. And isn't it wonderful that there are people who want to take good care of all kinds of wildlife.
- Daniel Striped Tiger: I was just reading a book about tigers.
- Lady Aberlin: But, you *are* a tiger.
- Daniel Striped Tiger: I know. I read everything I can about tigers.
- Lady Aberlin: You want to know about your ancestors?
- Daniel Striped Tiger: Yes. And you know something?
- Lady Aberlin: What?
- Daniel Striped Tiger: I don't think I'm very much like other tigers.
- Lady Aberlin: You look like a tiger to me.
- Daniel Striped Tiger: But I don't act like other tigers.
- Lady Aberlin: You mean, you don't roar, and growl, and show your teeth, and scare people? Is that what you mean?
- Daniel Striped Tiger: That's some of it.
- Lady Aberlin: So?
- Daniel Striped Tiger: So it makes me feel bad sometimes.
- Lady Aberlin: You feel bad because you don't scare people, and you aren't mean to them?
- Daniel Striped Tiger: But that's what tigers are supposed to do.
- Lady Aberlin: Maybe old, wild tigers do that because that's who they are.
- Daniel Striped Tiger: But what about me?
- Lady Aberlin: You're not an old, wild tiger. You're a new, tame tiger.
- Daniel Striped Tiger: That's not in any of the books.
- Lady Aberlin: No. You're an advanced breed of tiger.
- Daniel Striped Tiger: I am?
- Lady Aberlin: Sure. You've evolved from your ancestors into something finer than any tiger has ever been.
- Daniel Striped Tiger: I have?
- Lady Aberlin: Sure. Oh, if you were like one of those tigers in the books, I would never come and visit you.
- Daniel Striped Tiger: You wouldn't?
- Lady Aberlin: No, I'd be too scared of you.
- Daniel Striped Tiger: [relieved] Oh! I see.
- Lady Aberlin: Do you?
- Daniel Striped Tiger: I think. You're saying that I don't have to be just like the ones in the book to be all right?
- Lady Aberlin: Exactly. In fact, I'm really glad you're just exactly the way you are.
- Daniel Striped Tiger: You mean that. Don't you, Lady Aberlin?
- Lady Aberlin: I certainly do.
- [sings to Daniel "I'm Glad You're the Way You Are"]