Where are three tigers?

We were at the zoo.

We have annual passes and go every few weeks or so.

That day, we were inside the café, where there’s a giant window looking out into the tiger enclosure.

We saw the two tigers we always see when we go.

But that day, we also saw a third tiger in the distance.

There’s a smaller enclosure beside the main one, without a clear view.

We only saw the third tiger because it was sitting up on a perch.

She counted three tigers.

We continued our walk through the zoo as usual.

Once outside, we passed the outdoor window that looks into the same enclosure.

She counted two tigers.

Then she asked,

“Where are three tigers?”

She was genuinely confused.

She remembered seeing three tigers.

Now there were two.

I didn’t fully comprehend the depth of her thinking in that moment.

But it came shortly after.

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