ERBzine 8226: Drabbles May 1-15, 2026

SING A SONG OF OPAR

<>May 1: On this day in 2018, “Song of Opar” by Jim Malachowski was published. The book has a cover by Joe Jusko. The novel was authorized by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. The book explores the origins of Opar and features Tarzan's complex relationship with its priestess, La.
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<><> It is part of a larger literary tradition of works set in Opar, including those by Philip José Farmer. Detailed information about the book is available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag64/6420.html
<>The 100 word drabble for today, “Sing a Song of Opar,” is excerpted from an interview with the author posted at the website listed above. The book is available for purchase at: Amazon and ERB, Inc. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=song%20of%20opar...

SING A SONG OF OPAR
Song of Opar expands the information about Opar’s founding. It only deals with the initial three appearances of La and Opar. It explores many ideas that ERB only mentioned in passing. I have done my best to make Opar come alive and to any answer many of the “why”, “how” and “what” questions. While Tarzan is a main character in Song of Opar, much of the story involves the physical lost city and some of the high priests and priestesses who lived and ruled there. There is a heavy emphasis on La, of whom we get to know more intimately.

QUESTIONABLE BEHAVIOR

May 2: On this day in 1928, the Edgar Rice Burroughs’ interview of Mrs. Nellie Ross, former Wyoming Governor, was published in the Saint Petersburg Times.
Read the entire interview at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag17/1788.html#rossinterview
The drabble, “Questionable Behavior,” for today was inspired by ERB’s interview with Former Governor Ross. Its message highlights the stark contrast between some political candidates these days and Nellie Ross, who was never afraid of conflict or questions and looked upon debates with her opponents as opportunities to showcase their inadequacies. Times have changed, Nellie. Wish you were here.

QUESTIONABLE BEHAVIOR
Debha was campaigning for chief. “I’m fearless. I’ll stand up for you I’ll never back down. I promise better food, a safer village, and prosperity for all.
Debha turned away and her assistant said, “We don’t take questions. Thank you for coming.”
Jane said, “Excuse me. You don’t take questions and you refuse to debate your opponent. That doesn’t seem fearless to me. If you won’t stand up long enough to defend yourself, why should we believe you’ll sand up for us?”
The assistant replied, “We’ve clearly addressed those issues.”
Jane asked, “How?”
“We said we aren’t taking any questions.”

YOUNG MAN'S FANCY

May 3: On this day in 1994, episode # 16, season 3, Tarzan and the Mating Season, of the Wolf Larson Tarzan series, aired. There’s disagreement about the numbers assigned to some of the episodes because the episodes weren’t always released in the same order that they were filmed. The outstanding website, www.erbzine.com lists it as episode eleven of season three. Additionally, other internet sources confuse the years and show the episodes broadcast four and five years after they actually were. I’ve done my best to get them right in my upcoming book, EVERY DAY WITH EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS.
    In spite of it being ‘mating season’ in the jungle and Tarzan and Jane pledging love to each other one evening, the two simply roll over and go to sleep. Because of the age of target audience and the show’s format, no adult behavior was permitted.
For details about TARZAN AND THE MATING SEASON, visit https://www.erbzine.com/mag75/7550.html#60.
    The drabble for today, "Young Man’s Fancy,” was inspired by the episode and incorporates dialogue from it.

YOUNG MAN'S FANCY

The sun set after a soft spring rain and the sweet scent of the gardenias was intoxicating. Tarzan said, “Come with me to Tarzan’s treehouse. I want to talk.”

Jane’s eyes sparkled. “Of course, I don’t want to be alone.”
Jane put a gardenia in her hair, slowly danced closer, and whispered breathlessly, “Tarzan, do you feel love?”

“Tarzan feels love for Jane.”
“And I feel love for you. “
Jane hugged Tarzan, who stepped away and said, “Tarzan tired. Sleep now.” He rolled over and began snoring.

“Tarzan, you may know a lot, but you don’t know women.”

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DOWN ON THE FARM

May 4: On this day in 1921, The Humestown, Iowa newspaper, “New Era,” began serialization of A Princess of Mars. Throughout the 1920s, several of ERB’s novels were serialized in newspaper across the country. Writers signed an agreement with a licensing agent who placed the novels in newspapers. Rates varied with circulation. Partial runs of various serializations are available in almost illegible microfiche format from various archiving systems. Whenever I believe that I’ve found them all, another one turns up.
    A good list of several such serializations is available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag14/1439.html
The drabble for today, “Down on the Farm,” was inspired by the newspaper serialization of ‘A Princess of Mars.”
Nine-year-old David put down the Sunday newspaper. “Grandpa, I read this story about a man named John Carter. He passed out and woke up on Mars.”

DOWN ON THE FARM
“Davie, I read that myself.”
“If we were as strong as an Earthman on Mars, we could do our work much faster.”

“Yep, and if pigs could fly, we wouldn’t have bacon to eat.”
“Do you think Mars is like it is in the story.”
“Couldn’t say, I’ve never been to Mars, but I’ve been to Des Moines. Wasn’t no princesses or big green men, so I came left.”

“Why leave.”
“Somebody had to.”

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May 5: On this day in 1937, the Edgar Rice Burroughs article, “What Every Young Couple Should Know,’ was submitted to the “Women’s Home Companion.” The magazine didn’t purchase the article and it remains unpublished to this day. Hopefully, it remains in the archives at ERB Inc. and someday we’ll have the benefit of ERB’s advice.
This article was first written back in 1908 following the birth of daughter Joan. The observations from PORGES Page 177 are featured in ERBzine Lost Words from 1908

Since the article has never been published, the drabble for today, “The Common Defense,” is entirely fictional. My guess is that the editors at the “Women’s Home Companiohttp://www.erbzine.com/mag2/0219.htmln” didn’t know that a war was brewing in Europe.

THE COMMON DEFENSE

Dear Mr. Burroughs, we sadly must decline publication of “What Every Young Couple Should Know.” While our editors agree that all people, even newlyweds, should be prepared to protect their homes and each other, we sought more general advice such as good communication, not keeping secrets, and sharing housework. We aren’t prepared to give advice on keeping your firearms clean, keeping them loaded, and within your reach. The discussion on maintaining separate fields of fire was over our heads. Our readers aren’t expecting advice about standing your ground, keeping your powder dry or ‘shooting first and asking questions later.

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<>THIS IS ONLY A TEST
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<>May 6: On this day in 1990, the Gray Morrow illustrated and Don Kraar scripted Sunday Tarzan comic story arc, The Last of the Tribe of Kerchak, began.
Read the entire story arc at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag35/3533.html

There’s a link there that will lead you to all of the Gray Morrow/Don Kraar Sunday pages and more than a thousand more Tarzan Sunday comics by other artistic teams.

In the story, Kerchak’s dwindling Mangani tribe have been captured by a scientific expedition for experimentation. Tarzan and Korak battle to free them and lead them to safety.

The drabble for today, “This is Only a Test,’ was inspired by the story arc.

THIS IS ONLY A TEST

Tarzan stood angrily in front of the leader of the scientific expedition. “Why have you captured these great apes?”

“The government gave us permission to take them. Would you like to see our permits. Leave us alone.”

Tarzan grunted. “ I don’t recognize the authority of bribe-taking bureaucrats. I ask you again, why? Will you separate them and keep them in zoos.”

“Of course we won’t. We have drug tests to perform.”

“You’d test experimental drugs on them?”

“Would you prefer that we test the drugs on people?”

Tarzan punched him square in the face. “Kreegah! These are my people.”
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IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS
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May 7: On this day in 1938, the Rex Maxon / Don Garden daily comic story arc, Tarzan the Fearless, concluded. The story ran for ninety-six daily installments and the blurb for it was “A Thrilling tale of the Jungle Lord’s battle with the savage tree worshipers. We an only assume that a ‘tree worshiper’ and a ‘tree hugger” aren’t the same thing. The newspaper comic was adapted from the Buster Crabbe film serial of the same name.

    Read all ninety-six installments at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag40/4064.html

    The 100-word drabble for today. "Ignorance Is Not Bliss,” was loosely inspired by the story arc, but mostly it’s a commentary on the term “fearless.” It contains a line by Humphry Bogart and another Dumbledore (The Sorcerer’s Stone)

IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS
Tarzan pushed Mary Brooks away. “I must fight these tree worshipers. I’ve got to move fast, I can’t with you around my neck.”

“We’ve all voted and we chose to live peaceably with them.”

“Not possible. They’ll kill us.”

“Tarzan, are you afraid?”

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up your friends.”

Mary said, “Tarzan, why do you need to stand up to us.”

‘Because what you don’t know will hurt me. People don’t survive in the jungle because they don’t know what they don’t know.”

CAT VIDEO
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May 8: On this day in 1948, Carl Schenkel who directed the film, Tarzan and the Lost City, was born in Bern, Switzerland. Carl occasionally used the pseudonym, Carlo Ombra. He has 16 film director credits ranging from ‘Dracula Blows His Cool” to The Mighty Quinn and the made for television version of “Murder on the Orient Express.”

Don’t confuse him with Cal Schenkel, a graphic artist who worked with Frank Zappa.

    Details about the film, “Tarzan and the Lost City.” May be read at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0038.html

The totally fictional drabble for today,” Cat Video,” was inspired by nothing more than a sense of foolishness.

CAT VIDEO

On this set of “Tarzan and the Lost City,” Casper Van Dien, said, “Mr. Schenkel, I’ve always been a Tarzan fan. This is a dream job for me. How about you?”

“I never read the books. It’s kinda funny how I got the job. My English isn’t great and a frequently confuse hard a hard ‘c’ for a soft ‘c’ when I read it. I thought the script’s title was Tarzan and the Lost Kitty.”

“Like a lost lion cub?”

“Lions never crossed my mind. I’d hoped it was a comedy, perhaps Garfield in the Jungle or Heathcliff, Come Home.”

LOOK WHAT THEY'VE DONE TO MY BOOK MA
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May 9: On this day in 1938, the daily newspaper comic strip adaption of “Tarzan and the Forbidden City” began. Illustrated by Rex Maxon and scripted by Dan Garden, the adaption ran for 132 days. Forbidden City was presented to the public in several variations and formats. It was a radio drama, “Tarzan and the Diamond of Ashir.” It was the novel, Tarzan and the Forbidden City. It was the newspaper story arc that’s the subject of this post. It was published by Argosy Weekly as “The Red Star of Tarzan.” Lastly, it was abridged and published by Whitman Books in 1966.
    The fictional drabble for today, ‘Look What They’ve Done to My Book, Ma,” was inspired by the numerous incarnations and titles of the novel. A tip of the hat to the recording artist, Melanie, for the title of the drabble.

LOOK WHAT THEY'VE DONE TO MY BOOK MA
John Coleman Burroughs said, “Dad, the daily newspaper comic started adapting “Tarzan and the Forbidden City” this morning.”

“Did they use Forbidden City as the title or did they try to sneak in Red Star or Diamond of Ashir?”

“They stayed with Forbidden City.”
“I hope they stay with my storyline. Sometimes, I read an adaption of my work and I wonder who wrote this crap. The film companies are the worse. Why would they pay good money for something and then change it.”

“I know that makes you angry.”
“I can console myself with good bourbon and new automobiles.”

ALL THAT GLITTERS
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May 10: On this day in 1994, S03E17, Tarzan and the Sapphire Elephant, of the Wolf Larson Tarzan TV series, aired. The episode numbers vary depending on the source, but the title and the broadcast dates are usually consistent. For example, ERBzine lists this title as S03E08.

A summary and review of the episode is available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag75/7550.html

It’s a good episode. As you would expect, the sapphire elephant is a large sapphire. Tarzan, Roger, and Jane go to find it. The episode has a couple of “Indiana Jones” moments. Tarzan points out that the jungle animals do not belong to him. They do as they wish. He tells Roger that Roger doesn’t need help from Tarzan because Roger is as brave as Numa and as smart as Cheetah. Compliment with one hand and take it back with the other.

I have to throw in a quotation from Ray Bradbury because I like it. "There were only the great diamonds and sapphires and emerald mists and velvet inks of space, with God's voice mingling among the crystal fires.”

    The fictional, but philosophically accurate, drabble for today, “All That Glitters,” was inspired by the story arc. Remember that if you’ve never had a T-bone Steak, a hot dog tastes just fine.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Tarzan and Roger carefully entered the ancient temple. A gigantic jewel, the Elephant Sapphire, was on display. Roger stepped toward the gem, but a guardian elephant picked up the jewel and swallowed it.

Roger asked, “What do we do now?”

“We wait,” said Tarzan.

The next day the elephant deposited a huge stinking mass on the ground. Roger pinched his nose and said, “We’ll find it easily.”

Tarzan looked at the steaming pile. It was covered with shiny specks that reflected the sunbeams.

“You search it,” said Tarzan. “In a dung heap, even a grass seed glitters like a jewel.”

PUT ON A HAPPY FACE
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May 11: On this day in 1996, E20, “Tarzan and the Shadow of Anger” of “Tarzan, the Epic Adventures, was broadcast. The series featured Joe Lara as Tarzan. There is no Jane. Maybe that’s why Tarzan is angry. The series featured a slot of “sword and sorcery’ and fantasy. It seemed to me like they were using left over scripts from “Xena, the Warrior Princess.” In this episode, an inexperienced witch doctor’s spell causes Tarzan’s rage to manifest as a dangerous. The episode is disjointed and confusing and even has Tarzan behaving uncharacteristically. At one point in the episode, Tarzan tells a young man not to bother learning to read, that the tribal elders will teach him every thing he needs to know.

Details about the episodes and much more information is located at:
https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014a.html

    The drabble for today, “Put On a Happy Face,” was inspired by the episode.

PUT ON A HAPPY FACE

Themba, the witch doctor, said. “Tarzan, you seem unhappy, even angry. I can help you with that.”

Tarzan growled threateningly. “I am not angry. I’ll tell you when I’m angry. Anger is the last refuge of the incompetent. Don’t make me angry. You won’t like it if you make me angry.”

“Proving my point.”

Themba performed an unsuccessful ritual. Tarzan’s rage manifested as a dangerous shadowy creature.”

Tarzan fought and overcame the anger monster. Themba said, “Tarzan, that was scary. You need to control your anger.

“I don’t need to control anything. People just need to stop pissing me off.”

MASTER OF ADVENTURE
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May 12: On this day in 1962, the first publication of Henry Hardy Heins’s “A Golden Anniversary of Edgar Rice Burroughs” was published in three variants, paperback, spiral-bound, and with binder holes. The book, frequently only referred to as “Heins” by ERB researchers and historians, is considered the ‘go-to’ source for a wealth of information. It was the first book published by Donald Grant. While the book has been reprinted in a more attractive mass produced format, the first edition is often sold for hundreds of dollars.

    Details about this magnificent volume are chronicled at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag8/0894.html

    The 100-word drabble for today, “Master of Adventure,” was written by Reverend Heins.

MASTER OF ADVENTURE
“ERB is beyond doubt one of the most widely read and enjoyed authors in 20th century literature. An unassuming American writer, his tales have been translated into thirty or more languages. Burroughs' works have become literary classics. “A Princess of Mars,” was published for British school use, as one volume in a series comprising such authors as Conan Doyle, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Shakespeare. The publisher who ranked ERB as the only American among this distinguished company was venerable Oxford University Press. ... "He being dead yet speaketh." And we shall not soon see his like again.”

HOW WAS THAT AGAIN?
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May 13: On this day in 1944, the Rex Maxon scripted and illustrated Tarzan daily comic strip story arc, “The Diabolical Hypnotist,” concluded. The title makes me think of a non-existent film starring Vincent Price. I can just see him swinging a watch back and forth.

The story arc was relatively short, it ran for thirty-six episodes and can be enjoyed in its entirety at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag54/5444.html

The story features the beautiful Diane Weaver, Zondo the magician and hypnotist, Bantu, and Tarzan of course. Zondo wants back in show business after years in seclusion in the jungle. He needs a beautiful assistant and has hypnotised Diane to force her to help. Tarzan takes offense Zondo has hypnotized the native, Bantu, and uses him to fight Tarzan. The lord of the jungle has to also fight several lions. Tarzan’s mind is too strong for him to be hypnotised. In the end, Tarzan frees Diana and Bantu from Zondo’s control and the trio flee the lions and escape. Diane is reunited with her father, Professor Weaver. The closing panel reads,” And the happy foursome went down the trail for home, while many miles away fate formed events which would tax the utmost of Tarzan’s strength and ingenuity.

The parallels between the hypnotist and a witch doctor, between Diane Weaver and her father with Jane and Professor Porter, and between the hypnotist and mind controlling men in “Tarzan the Magnificent are obvious.

    The drabble for today, “How Was That Again?”, was inspired by the story arc which was a thinly disguised version of Tarzan the Magnificent – complete with lions, but hey, doesn’t everybody like a fight between Tarzan and a lion.

HOW WAS THAT AGAIN?
Diane said, “Tarzan, I was so worried when the hypnotist told you to fight your friend, Bantu?”

“It wasn’t a problem. I pretended to be hypnotised.”

“But Bantu was hypnotised. He could have killed you.”

“Tarzan was in complete control. Like I said, I only allowed the hypnotist to think he was controlling me.”

“Perhaps. Did you ever consider that maybe the hypnotist told you to believe you weren’t hypnotised, but were acting of your own free will. I think that’s how it works.”

“Doesn’t matter either way. I got what I wanted. Doesn’t matter who thinks they’re in control.”

TEST BY FIRE
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May 14: On this day in 1933, the Hal Foster illustrated and George Carlin scripted Tarzan Sunday story arc, “The Egyptian Saga II: Wrath of the Gods,” concluded. Each Sunday episode was given its own title in those days and this installment was titled, “The Transformation of Tarzan.”

    You can read the entire story arc at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag55/5500.html

    The drabble, “Test By Fire,” for today was written by George Carlin, not the comedian, for that Sunday comic. Just a quick note: The High Priest looks a lot like Satan.

TEST BY FIRE

The high priest was suspicious of the transformation of Tarzan into Thoth. He confronted Tarzan in the market place when the ape-man appeared in the guise of Thoth.

"If you be the real Thoth, you will go through the ordeal by fire," the high priest announced. But Tarzan understood not -- until the priest applied a torch to the papyrus disguise in which the ape-man was concealed. Like Ara the lightning, Tarzan tore the flaming papyrus from him. "Behold, the stranger has deceived you!" cried the high priest. "I call the faithful to rise and destroy him as an impostor!"

NO CREDIT FOR YOU
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May 15: On this day in 1952, E69 of the Commodore Tarzan radio series was broadcast. The episode was titled “The Mask of Montiki,” not to be confused with ‘The Raft of Kontiki” or a rum based boat drink. A total of seventy-five episodes were recorded, but only seventy-three were broadcast. Number 73 was broadcast almost a year after episode seventy-two. Th episodes averaged about twenty-five minutes each.

    The first seventy-three episodes are available for your listening pleasure at www.erbzine.com and this specific episode is at: https://www.erbzine.com/radio/69MASK.mp3

You can buy recordings of the entire series from several online vendors or you can attend the Edgar Rice Burroughs Convention and DumDum in Raleigh, NC in late June where a live performance of some episodes is scheduled. I thought that convention planner, John Hood, should have recruited me to do the voice of Tarzan, but I suspect that he’s herd my poor excuse for a Tazan yell and make a good decision.

    The 100-word drabble for today, “No Credit For You,’ was inspired by the last Tarzan radio series to date. The series featured Lamont Johnson as Tarzan, but the identity and roles of the other cast members is unclear. The drabble is excerpted from an article by ERB historian Robert Barrett located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag23/2337.html . The performer listed as Jill Oppenheim is better known as actress Jill St. John.

NO CREDIT FOR YOU

While all the Commodore Tarzan programs are available, very little is known about which parts the actors starring on the show played with the exception of Lamont Johnson, who played Tarzan. Other cast members included: Jan Arven, Dick Beales, Bob Bruce, Larry Dobkins, Virginia Eller, Eddie Firestone Jr., Frank Gersten, Gloria Grant, Virginia Gregg, Gladys Holland, Charlie Lawton, Raymond Lawrence, Sidney Mason, Eve McVeagh, Shepard (Shep) Menken, Marvin Miller, Roland Morris, Donald Morrison, Jack Moyles, Jay Novello, Dan O'Herlihy, Jill Oppenheim, GeGe Pearson, Victor Rodman, Olan Soule, Theodore (Ted) von Eltz, Walter White III, David Wolfe and Barbara Jean Wong.

To Days 15-31 at ERBzine 8226a