Rob’s Relationship With Willie May

The Tiger Rising

Willie May recognizes Rob’s hidden pain and receives his care in return, becoming a trusted adult in his life.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Face Like Carved Wood A Face Like Carved Wood from "The Tiger Rising". A Face Like Carved Wood Rob’s Attention Rob studies Willie May’s face and imagines carving her carefully from wood.

A Face Like Carved Wood from "The Tiger Rising". A Face Like Carved Wood Rob’s Attention Rob studies Willie May’s face and imagines carving her carefully from wood.

A Face Like Carved Wood Rob’s Attention Rob studies Willie May’s face and imagines carving her carefully from wood. His quiet looking is his familiar way of attending to people. A Direct Challenge Willie May asks what he is staring at and why he is out of school. She treats him plainly rather than overlooking him.

Advice About Sadness Advice About Sadness from "The Tiger Rising". Advice About Sadness An Unexpected Reading Willie May tells Rob that sadness is being kept low in his legs. She urges him to let it rise toward his heart.

Advice About Sadness from "The Tiger Rising". Advice About Sadness An Unexpected Reading Willie May tells Rob that sadness is being kept low in his legs. She urges him to let it rise toward his heart.

Advice About Sadness An Unexpected Reading Willie May tells Rob that sadness is being kept low in his legs. She urges him to let it rise toward his heart. A Trusted Voice Rob is relieved she cannot simply cure the rash, but he remembers her words. Her attention gives him a way to be understood without forcing him to explain everything.

The Bird Story Shared The Bird Story Shared from "The Tiger Rising". The Bird Story Shared A Personal Memory Willie May tells Rob how she released her parakeet Cricket and never saw it again.

The Bird Story Shared from "The Tiger Rising". The Bird Story Shared A Personal Memory Willie May tells Rob how she released her parakeet Cricket and never saw it again.

The Bird Story Shared A Personal Memory Willie May tells Rob how she released her parakeet Cricket and never saw it again. Her account connects her tenderness to a painful uncertainty. Rob Listens Rob thinks of his father shooting a bird and of his own childhood tears. The conversation creates a quiet exchange of painful memories without either person demanding a solution.

Cricket Returned in Wood Cricket Returned in Wood from "The Tiger Rising". Cricket Returned in Wood Rob’s Gift Rob gives Willie May a carving of the bird she lost. She recognizes it by touch and confirms that he has made it well.

Cricket Returned in Wood from "The Tiger Rising". Cricket Returned in Wood Rob’s Gift Rob gives Willie May a carving of the bird she lost. She recognizes it by touch and confirms that he has made it well.

Cricket Returned in Wood Rob’s Gift Rob gives Willie May a carving of the bird she lost. She recognizes it by touch and confirms that he has made it well. Care Acknowledged Willie May says the carving soothes her heart. Her acceptance affirms Rob’s skill and lets him offer comfort rather than only receive advice.

A Warning and a Rescue A Warning and a Rescue from "The Tiger Rising". A Warning and a Rescue Honest Counsel Willie May tells Sistine that no one will come to rescue her, while telling Rob she would like the tiger to rise against…

A Warning and a Rescue from "The Tiger Rising". A Warning and a Rescue Honest Counsel Willie May tells Sistine that no one will come to rescue her, while telling Rob she would like the tiger to rise against…

A Warning and a Rescue Honest Counsel Willie May tells Sistine that no one will come to rescue her, while telling Rob she would like the tiger to rise against Beauchamp. Her bluntness resists easy reassurance. Protection With Consequences She later fetches Rob’s father when she fears what the children are about to do. Her care protects Rob and Sistine, though it cannot prevent the tiger’s death.

Rob’s first morning helping in the laundry room

during their first laundry-room conversation

the next morning

the following morning

after Sistine asks about the tiger