Jungle Tales of Tarzan · Chapter
The Lion explained
Tarzan devises a plan to teach Numa the lion that killing apes brings punishment.
What happens
Tarzan devises a plan to teach Numa the lion that killing apes brings punishment. With Taug's help, he distracts Numa to retrieve the body of Mamka, then leads the apes in hurling rocks at the lion to drive him away. Later, Tarzan steals from Mbonga's village and uses the experience to teach the tribe a lesson in preparedness.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Instinct
Tarzan's strategic harassment of Numa and the tribe's defensive actions highlight the instinct to survive against predators.
Savagery vs. Civilization
Tarzan's reasoned plan to teach Numa a lesson contrasts with the apes' panic, showing a blend of savage instinct and emerging civilized strategy.
Characters to notice
- Tarzan
Leads the plan to harass Numa and retrieve Mamka's body; later steals from Mbonga's village and teaches the tribe about sentries.
- Taug
Assists Tarzan by distracting Numa, risking a charge to lead the lion away from the kill.
- Numa
The lion who kills Mamka and is harassed by Tarzan and the apes; eventually driven away from his prey.
- Gunto
Catches Tarzan and the body of Mamka as Tarzan leaps to safety from Numa's charge.
- Mamka
The she-ape killed by Numa; her body is retrieved by Tarzan.
- Manu
The monkey who awakens Tarzan and accompanies him to observe the tribe.
Key passages
“Numa must be taught that the killing of an ape brought immediate punishment and no rewards.”
Tarzan believes the lion must learn that killing an ape will always result in consequences, not rewards.
Tarzan's rationale for harassing Numa to protect the tribe.
“The apes and Tarzan pursued the great beast to a natural clearing, where Numa evidently determined to make a last stand...”
Tarzan and the apes chased the lion to an open area where it decided to stop and fight back.
Description of the climax of the harassment.
“Tarzan dropped lightly into the village, and sneaking stealthily in the concealment of the denser shadows, approached the hut of the chief, Mbonga.”
Tarzan silently entered the village and moved through the shadows to Mbonga's hut.
Tarzan's stealthy theft from the village.