The Tiger King

The Tiger King is a Class 12 English chapter from the Vistas textbook for GSEB students, written by Kalki. The story follows the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram, who becomes obsessed with killing one hundred tigers after astrologers predict that a tiger will cause his death.
 

The Maharaja kills ninety-nine tigers, but the hundredth becomes part of a comic twist. He believes he has killed it, although the tiger survives and is later shot by the hunters. Eventually, a tiny wooden tiger causes an infection that leads to the Maharaja’s death. The story uses satire and dramatic irony to question the arrogance of powerful people and human cruelty towards wildlife.
 

This resource helps students develop Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Satire Appreciation, Character Analysis, Interpretation, Vocabulary, Logical Reasoning, and Social Awareness while exploring power, pride, fate, wildlife conservation, human behaviour, and the misuse of authority.