The Fight for the Balu by Edgar Rice Burroughs
In a jungle setting, a young ape named Teeka becomes a mother, which alters her playful demeanor. Tarzan, who has a fondness for Teeka, is initially excited about her newborn but is met with hostility when he approaches. Teeka, protective of her baby, growls at Tarzan, leading to a misunderstanding that results in Tarzan being bitten. Despite his injury, Tarzan's curiosity about the baby remains strong. As Tarzan attempts to engage with Teeka, Taug, the father, arrives, and Tarzan chooses to avoid confrontation, recalling their past friendship. However, Taug's protective instincts kick in, and he charges at Tarzan. In a playful yet competitive manner, Tarzan evades Taug and uses a rope to ensnare him, temporarily incapacitating the bull. Tarzan then tries to approach Teeka again, but she remains wary. Meanwhile, a panther named Sheeta lurks nearby, eyeing Teeka's baby as potential prey. Tarzan, noticing the danger, rushes to protect the cub, leading to a standoff between him and Sheeta. Both are poised to attack, but Tarzan's protective instincts override his fear. As they engage in a fierce battle, Teeka retrieves her baby and watches anxiously from a safe distance. The fight escalates, drawing the attention of other apes, including Taug, who, despite his earlier anger towards Tarzan, joins the fray to defend his offspring. The combined strength of the apes overwhelms Sheeta, who ultimately succumbs to their attack. In the aftermath, the apes celebrate their victory, and Teeka, showing newfound trust, allows Tarzan to hold her baby while tending to his wounds. The narrative explores themes of motherhood, instinct, and the complexities of relationships within the animal kingdom, highlighting Tarzan's dual nature as both a protector and a creature of the wild. The story culminates in a demonstration of unity among the apes against a common threat, reinforcing the bonds of their community.
By Edgar Rice Burroughs · First published 1915 · Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action · 4,748 words
First lines
Teeka had become a mother. Tarzan of the Apes was intensely interested, much more so, in fact, than Taug, the father. Tarzan was very fond of Teeka. Even the cares of prospective motherhood had not entirely quenched the fires of carefree youth, and Teeka had remained a good-natured playmate even at an age when other shes of the tribe of Kerchak had assumed the sullen dignity of maturity. She yet retained her childish delight in the primitive games of tag and hide-and-go-seek which Tarzan's fertile man-mind had evolved.
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The Fight for the Balu is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edgar Rice Burroughs, dated 1915 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: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Coming-of-Age, Animal Fiction
- Length: 4,748 words
- Structure: 1 section, 64 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Fight for the Balu by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Genres
- Adventure — The plot centers around Tarzan's interactions with the jungle and its inhabitants, showcasing thrilling encounters and physical confrontations.
- Fantasy — The story features anthropomorphic animals and a mythical portrayal of Tarzan's abilities, set in an imaginative jungle environment.
- Action — The narrative includes intense physical confrontations, particularly between Tarzan and the panther, emphasizing action-driven sequences.
- Coming-of-Age — Tarzan's experiences reflect themes of growth and maturity, particularly in his relationships with Teeka and Taug.
Tags
Adventure · Fantasy · Science Fiction · Space Opera · Pulp Fiction · Classic Literature · Early 20th Century · Male Protagonist · Action Hero · Quest Narrative · Good vs Evil · Friendship