# The Lion explained — Jungle Tales of Tarzan

> Chapter companion for Jungle Tales of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters/viii-the-lion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jungle_tales_of_tarzan_se/chapters