The Battle for Teeka
In a peaceful jungle, a tribe of apes enjoys a period of tranquility, unaware of the lurking dangers. Teeka, a female ape, and her young offspring Gazan venture far from their group in search of food. Meanwhile, Toog, a powerful outcast bull ape, spies Teeka and becomes infatuated with her. Seizing the opportunity, he attacks, causing Gazan to fall from a tree and become unconscious. Toog captures Teeka, dragging her away as Gazan lies motionless on the ground. Taug, Teeka's mate, returns from hunting to find Gazan injured and Dango the hyena about to feast on him. In a fit of rage, Taug kills Dango and discovers Gazan is still alive. He calls for Teeka but receives no response. Tarzan, the ape-man, hears the commotion and rushes to the scene, quickly deducing that a stranger bull has abducted Teeka. He decides to pursue the captor, insisting that Taug stay behind to protect the tribe. Tarzan and Taug follow Toog's trail, but a torrential rain washes away the scent. After a frustrating search, they finally pick up the trail again and continue their pursuit. Meanwhile, Teeka endures Toog's brutal attempts to subdue her, suffering injuries as she resists. Toog, hoping to return to his tribe with Teeka, encounters two of his fellow bulls who are intrigued by his captive. As Tarzan and Taug close in, a little monkey alerts Toog's friends to their approach. Teeka, realizing her rescuers are near, cries out, prompting Toog to strike her in anger. A fierce battle ensues between the two tribes, with Tarzan and Taug fighting against Toog and his allies. In the chaos, Tarzan struggles to free his knife while Teeka, seizing the opportunity, picks up Tarzan's pouch and hurls the metal cylinders inside at the combatants. The cylinders explode, startling the opposing bulls and causing them to flee. Tarzan and Taug, though injured, regroup and are astonished by Teeka's unexpected aid. They are left to ponder the mysterious objects that saved them, unaware of their true origin. The story highlights themes of loyalty, the instinct for survival, and the bond between parent and child, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that tests the strength and cunning of both the apes and their human ally.
By Edgar Rice Burroughs · First published 1916 · Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action · 8,325 words
First lines
The day was perfect. A cool breeze tempered the heat of the equatorial sun. Peace had reigned within the tribe for weeks and no alien enemy had trespassed upon its preserves from without. To the ape-mind all this was sufficient evidence that the future would be identical with the immediate past -- that Utopia would persist.
The sentinels, now from habit become a fixed tribal custom, either relaxed their vigilance or entirely deserted their posts, as the whim seized them. The tribe was far scattered in search of food. Thus may peace and prosperity undermine the safety of the most primitive community even as it does that of the most cultured.
What this Textopian page supports
The Battle for Teeka is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edgar Rice Burroughs, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Science Fiction, Drama
- Length: 8,325 words
- Structure: 1 section, 93 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Battle for Teeka by Edgar Rice Burroughs
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- The Lion by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- The Aab by Edward W. Ludwig
- The Nightmare by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- First Lensman by E. E. Smith
- Guardians Of The Tower by Randall Garrett
Genres
- Adventure — The plot centers around the pursuit and rescue of Teeka, involving action and exploration in a jungle setting.
- Fantasy — The story features anthropomorphic apes and a blend of human and animal behaviors, creating a fantastical narrative.
- Action — The narrative includes intense physical confrontations and battles between the characters.
- Science Fiction — The exploration of evolutionary themes and the depiction of a primitive society suggest speculative elements.
Tags
Science Fiction · Adventure · Fantasy · Space Opera · Pulp Fiction · Classic Literature · Epic Story · Hero's Journey · Quest Narrative · Good vs Evil · Friendship · Loyalty