The narrative follows two parallel lives of Lord Greystoke, one in England and the other in the African jungle, where the true Lord Greystoke, known as Tarzan, lives among the wild. The story begins with the English Lord Greystoke participating in a pheasant shoot, oblivious to the fact that he is an impostor, while the real Tarzan hunts in the jungle, embodying primal instincts and skills. Tarzan's existence is marked by a deep connection to the jungle and its creatures. He is aware of the dangers and the hierarchy of the wild, including his encounters with a lion, Numa. The narrative shifts to Tarzan's interactions with the Gomangani tribe, particularly focusing on his complex feelings towards them, stemming from past grievances, including the death of his adoptive mother, Kala. The plot thickens when Tibo, the son of a Gomangani woman named Momaya, is kidnapped by Bukawai, a malevolent witch-doctor. Bukawai seeks revenge against the tribe and demands an exorbitant ransom for Tibo's return, leveraging the fear and desperation of the villagers. Momaya's frantic search for her son leads her to confront Bukawai, who manipulates the situation to his advantage. As Tibo endures the horrors of captivity, Tarzan follows the trail of the witch-doctor and the hyenas that accompany him. The tension escalates as Tibo faces imminent danger from the hyenas, who are hungry and aggressive. Tarzan's instincts drive him to rescue Tibo just as the hyenas break into the chamber where the boy is held. The climax occurs when Tarzan confronts the hyenas, showcasing his strength and agility. He successfully saves Tibo and returns him to his mother, disrupting Bukawai's plans. The witch-doctor, realizing the futility of his schemes, flees into the jungle, leaving the villagers to grapple with their fear and anger. The story concludes with Tarzan's return to the jungle, where he remains a figure of awe and fear among the tribes, while the impostor Lord Greystoke continues his life in England, unaware of the true legacy of his title. The narrative explores themes of identity, the clash between civilization and the primal world, and the complexities of revenge and redemption.
By Edgar Rice Burroughs · First published 1915 · Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action