They Have No Eye On The Tiger

I am conducting a safari at a large open reserve in Tanzania. A guest on the tour group has looked impatient the whole tour, and as we are nearing the end:

Guest: “When are we going to see the tigers?!”

Me: “That depends on when you’re going to Asia, madam.”

Guest: “Huh?”

Me: “Tigers don’t live in Africa. They live in Asia.”

Guest: “That’s not true! There should be tigers!”

Me: “I’ve been living here my whole life, madam. I would know if we had tigers.”

Guest: “But I promised my kids that I would bring back pictures of tigers!”

Me: “I don’t know what else to tell you, madam. I did see you getting some amazing photos of the lions earlier?”

Guest: “Yes but my kids want tigers!” *Looks at me expectantly.*

Me: “Yes, well… anyway as I was saying.”

I proceed with the tour while the guests looks a combination of disbelieving and crestfallen, like I was spoiling her fun. I saw her going through her guide to try to prove me wrong, as if I was hiding a herd of Asian tigers somewhere in Africa. 

I passed her again after the tour at the visitor’s centre. She was both demanding her money back, but also miffed that there were no stuffed animal tigers in the gift shop, even though every other safari animal was.