Class 12 : English (core) Compulsory – Lesson 15.The Tiger King
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🌟 Introduction to the Story
The Tiger King by Kalki (Ramaswami Aiyar Krishnamurthy) is a satirical short story about the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, whose life is shaped by an astrologer’s prophecy: he will die because of a tiger. Determined to defy fate, the Maharaja embarks on a lifelong mission to kill 100 tigers, believing that doing so will secure his life. The tale blends humour, irony, and social commentary to highlight the folly of arrogance and the illusion of controlling destiny.
📚 About the Author
Kalki (1899–1954) was a celebrated Tamil writer, journalist, and freedom fighter. Known for his historical novels and sharp social satires, he wrote with a keen sense of humour and a knack for exposing human flaws. His works often critique societal evils, blind faith, and the misuse of power.
💡 The Prophecy
At the time of his birth, court astrologers predicted that the child would grow up to die because of a tiger. The infant prince — in a comically precocious way — seemed to challenge the prophecy. The astrologer added that the 100th tiger would be the cause of his death.
🧠 The Maharaja’s Obsession
After becoming king at 20, the Maharaja banned anyone else from hunting tigers in his kingdom. He personally hunted them, neglecting state affairs in his quest to reach 100 kills. When tigers became scarce, he married a princess from a state with a healthy tiger population to continue the hunt.
🌱 The 100th Tiger
Years later, after killing 99 tigers, he struggled to find the last one. A tiger was eventually spotted, and he shot it. However, the bullet missed, and his soldiers killed it secretly to avoid his wrath. Believing he had triumphed over fate, the Maharaja relaxed.
🎁 The Fatal Irony
On his son’s third birthday, he bought a wooden toy tiger. A splinter from the poorly crafted toy pierced his hand, leading to infection and death. The “100th tiger” had claimed him — not a living animal, but a wooden one — fulfilling the prophecy in an unexpected way.
🕊 Themes and Symbols
Fate vs. Free Will: The story shows how destiny can assert itself despite human effort.
Satire on Power: The Maharaja’s misuse of authority for personal obsession mirrors real-world political folly.
Irony: His belief in defeating fate directly causes its fulfilment.
Symbolism of the Tiger: Represents fate, danger, and the Maharaja’s arrogance.
💠 Summary
The Tiger King is a satirical tale of the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, destined to die because of a tiger. Determined to challenge fate, he kills 99 tigers and believes he has triumphed after shooting the 100th — unaware that it was actually killed by his soldiers. Ironically, he dies from an infected wound caused by a wooden toy tiger’s splinter, proving the prophecy right and mocking his arrogance.
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PASSAGE
PASSAGE 1
“The astrologer said that the child born in that hour will one day have to meet its death because of a tiger. The ten-day-old prince made an observation that startled everyone present. He uttered the words ‘Let tigers beware!'”
💠 (Short Answer – 30 words)
What prophecy did the astrologer make about the newborn prince?
Answer: He predicted the prince would eventually die because of a tiger, indicating a fateful link between the prince’s life and the animal.
💠 (Short Answer – 30 words)
How did the infant prince respond to the prophecy?
Answer: The ten-day-old prince astonishingly uttered, “Let tigers beware!”, showing unusual courage and foreshadowing his later obsession with hunting tigers.
💠 (Multiple Choice)
What surprised everyone at the prince’s naming ceremony?
A. His ability to walk
B. His strong grip
C. His spoken words against tigers
D. His refusal to cry
Answer: C. His spoken words against tigers
💠 (Fill in the blank)
The astrologer predicted that the prince would die because of a __.
Answer: tiger
💠 (Fill in the blank)
The ten-day-old prince shocked everyone by saying, “Let __ beware!”
Answer: tigers
💠 (Assertion and Reason)
Assertion (A): The prince’s first words displayed bravery.
Reason (R): He openly challenged the very animal linked to his prophesied death.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is false, but R is true.
D. Both A and R are false.
Answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
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QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK
🔷 Reading with Insight
Question 1:
The story is a satire on the conceit of those in power. How does the author employ the literary device of dramatic irony in the story?
Answer:
🔹 The story “The Tiger King” by Kalki satirizes the arrogance and foolishness of powerful rulers. The author employs dramatic irony effectively throughout the story.
🔹 Dramatic irony occurs when the readers know something that the character does not. In this story, the readers are aware from the beginning—through the astrologer’s prophecy—that the Maharaja will die because of a tiger. Ironically, the king spends his entire life trying to kill tigers to prove the prophecy wrong.
🔹 However, fate takes its course—the hundredth tiger he aims to kill actually survives, and later, a toy tiger (a symbol of mockery and fate) causes his death.
✔️ Thus, the author uses dramatic irony to expose the king’s vanity, his obsession with power, and the futility of human pride against destiny.
Question 2:
What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the willfulness of human beings?
Answer:
🔹 Through the story, the author conveys a strong condemnation of human cruelty and arrogance in exploiting animals for pleasure and prestige.
🔹 The Maharaja kills tigers not for protection but to satisfy his ego and assert dominance over nature. The act reflects the self-centeredness of humans who destroy wildlife for their own whims.
🔹 The author’s indirect comment highlights the moral corruption of mankind—how the innocent, voiceless creatures suffer due to human vanity and power.
💡 It’s a plea for compassion, empathy, and respect toward all living beings, urging humans to realize that they are not the masters but part of nature.
Question 3:
How would you describe the behaviour of the Maharaja’s minions towards him? Do you find them truly sincere towards him or are they driven by fear when they obey him? Do we find a similarity in today’s political order?
Answer:
🔹 The Maharaja’s courtiers and officials behave like flatterers and sycophants, obeying every command without question.
🔹 Their loyalty is not sincere; it stems from fear of punishment and desire for personal gain. They pretend to admire the king’s courage but secretly mock his foolishness.
🔹 For instance, they falsely report the death of the hundredth tiger to please him and save their positions.
🔹 This situation mirrors today’s political order as well, where many in power are surrounded by yes-men who praise and agree with everything out of fear or greed rather than honesty.
✔️ The story, therefore, is a universal satire on the misuse of authority and the hypocrisy of those who serve it.
Question 4:
Can you relate instances of game-hunting among the rich and the powerful in the present times that illustrate the callousness of human beings towards wildlife?
Answer:
🔹 Even in modern times, trophy hunting and illegal poaching are carried out by the rich and influential for pride or entertainment.
🔹 Incidents like illegal shooting of endangered animals (e.g., lions, tigers, elephants, and leopards) highlight the same insensitivity and arrogance portrayed in the story.
🔹 Despite strict laws and conservation movements, many continue to hunt wildlife under the disguise of sport or cultural practice.
💡 Such acts reveal humanity’s continued disregard for nature’s balance and the belief that wealth or power gives one the right to dominate weaker creatures.
✔️ The story remains relevant, exposing the unchanged human attitude toward nature and wildlife even today.
Question 5:
We need a new system for the age of ecology — a system which is embedded in the care of all people and also in the care of the Earth and all life upon it. Discuss.
Answer:
🔹 This statement emphasizes the urgent need for an eco-centric world system where the welfare of the Earth and its living beings is prioritized over human greed and materialism.
🔹 Industrialization, deforestation, pollution, and overexploitation of resources have endangered ecological balance. The story of The Tiger King warns of the disastrous consequences of human arrogance toward nature.
🔹 A new system must focus on:
🟢 Sustainable development
🟢 Wildlife conservation
🟢 Environmental education and awareness
🟢 Global cooperation for protecting ecosystems
💡 Humanity must learn to coexist with nature rather than dominate it. The story’s message aligns with modern ecological ethics — reminding us that the survival of mankind depends on the survival of the Earth.
✔️ Summary Insight:
Kalki’s The Tiger King is not merely a humorous tale but a powerful satire that exposes human vanity, cruelty, and ignorance. It urges compassion for animals and harmony with nature — lessons that are as vital today as ever.
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