o05. 'His paws were like volumes of Encyclopaedia Britannica'

The Pacific Ocean seems to go on forever as Pi manages to survive on the lifeboat for a third day. At this point, Pi is beginning to lose faith as he comes to the tragic realization that he and his family will never reunite. In an attempt to protect the defenceless orang-utan from the bloodthirsty hyena, Pi leaves the safety of the edge of the boat and steps in to help. It is at this point that Pi makes a discovery that will completely altar the rest of the journey, and adds on to the danger that the sea and hyena already bring. Just inches below Pi’s feet, separated by merely a bench seat, Pi finds an unwanted and unexpected acquaintance. Richard Parker was on board the entire time. A rancorous tiger was in close enough proximity to kill Pi this entire time. This discovery gives Pi quite a scare, but once he regains a grip on things, Pi searches the boat for emergency equipment; he hasn’t had anything to eat or drink for three entire days. When Richard Parker finally makes a move and attacks the hyena, it motivates Pi to make a crude raft and create an almost impassable gap between Richard Parker and himself. While on his seemingly insecure raft, Pi devises ways of getting rid of the tiger. How will Pi be able to survive with such a deadly creature on board? Will he manage to get rid of Richard Parker? And how will his raft hold up considering the rough conditions at sea?