Letter to the Author of LIFE OF PIE

Dear Yann Martel,

My life changed completely after reading your book, The Life of Pi.  Losing a loved one is painful and challenging to overcome, and it is overwhelming.  Sometimes, I have felt like I have fallen into a dark black hole or attempted to tame an adult Bengal tiger on a precarious boat, as Pi did.  Fear seems to have climbed on my vessel also, swallowing all of my hope.  Unexpected occasions are scattered throughout my life, seeming to last forever and ever.  But this book has given me hope. 

I loved The Life of Pi because I connected with Pi on some occasions.  On certain days after school, I arrive home knowing that I will do homework the rest of the evening or night.  These days appear dark and gloomy- much like Pi’s time spent on the emergency raft, taming his very worst fear.  I would like to believe that I could tame a wild tiger.  I want to say that I would, and am willing to do anything courageous, but I am afraid to say that this would be a lie.  I am not perfect and no human is.  

Your beautiful story of courage and faith changed me, and made me think-would I swim off the boat, or stand up to the orange and black carnivore?  If I swam off, I would probably be eaten alive by hideous sharks.  But if I stood my ground, a few things could happen.  I could disappear into the hungry jaws of the ravenous tiger, or simply nothing could happen, and I could adjust to life with a predator.

I now view the world in a unique way because of this powerful story.  Every moment of freedom I have, I savor it.  I am now more grateful to spend valuable time with my family.  I know that while I am having tough times, I am not going through the worst time ever.  Others have much greater problems than I do- young or old.  But I am sure of one thing- I don’t want to be stuck on a small boat with a dangerous tiger.