ERBzine 8227: Drabbles JUNE 1-15, 2026

    The drabble for today, “You Say It’s Your Birthday,” was inspired by the fine actors and actresses born on this day who appeared in Tarzan films and television shows. It was also inspired by the annual interplay between my wife, Sally, and our fellow pilot and friend, Mike Goade,

YOU SAY IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY

Sally Kellerman, on the set of the Tarzan television series, placed a birthday cake in front of Ron Ely. “Happy birthday, Tarzan. It’s my birthday, too.”

“Happy birthday, Sally. Did you know that today is also Johnny Weissmuller’s birthday?”

“I did. I loved his movies. He was so handsome. I put three candles on the cake. One is for me, one is for you, and one is for Johnny.”

“Sally, you can blow out the candles. I’ve got more to celebrate today than you do. No matter how hard I try, I’ll never be as old as you are.”
'

SECONDHAND FAME

June 3: On this day in 1944, the Rex Maxon scripted and illustrated Tarzan daily newspaper story arc, The Prisoner of Cadi, concluded after a very short run, only eighteen daily episodes. The entire story may be rad at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag54/5447.html

    The drabble for today, “Secondhand Fame,” was inspired by the story and by reporters who get confused about their job and think that they’re the news, not the reporter. A couple of observations on the subject before the drabble: Writer Carlos Castaneda said, "Our self-importance requires that we spend most of our lives offended by someone." Lao Tzu observed, "Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important."

SECONDHAND FAME

Tarzan had almost drowned and he awakened to find himself tied up. He said, “Cut me loose. I’ve done no harm.”

“We won’t,” their leader replied. “We know that you are Tarzan. Our ruler, Cadi, will be held in much higher esteem by holding you prisoner.”

Tarzan’s eyes flashed with anger. “He believes he achieves secondhand fame by capturing me?

“There’s more. He knows that belittling others works well for him.”

He reminds me of a reporter who was fired because he thought that because he reported the news, he was more important than the people who made the news.”

PERCEIVED VALUE

June 4: On this day in 1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs offered $25.00 for N. C. Wyeth’s painting for the New Story Magazine August 1913 issue, which continued the serialization of The Return of Tarzan. I have to admit that I’m surprised by this date because if it’s correct, the offer to buy the painting was made two months before the magazine publication. Certainly possible. In any event, Wyeth declined the offer.

The illustration was also used for the A. C. McClurg first edition of the novel. First editions of the novels are not terribly rare, but the first edition DJ is extremely so, with only two confirmed copies known. A third is rumored and my copy of the first edition came with a torn and tattered DJ missing the important parts of the spine. When I’m in a generous mood, I tell myself that it’s the right DJ, but it probably isn’t. if I don’t have it verified by B. R, probably the only person who could. It’s a Schrodinger’s Cat kind of deal.

    Details about the publication history of the novel and several illustrations are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag4/0484.html

    The drabble for today, “Perceived Value,” is a fictional account of a conversation between Edgar Rice Burroughs and N. C. Wyeth.

PERCEIVED VALUE

“Thank you, Mr. Burroughs, but I’d never sell the original painting for $25.00. I spent almost two weeks on it.”

“Respectfully, I spent several months on the novel and I was only paid $1,000.00. Seems my offer is consistent for the time we both invested in our work.”

“Your story will no doubt be published several times and you’ll be paid every time. I’ve sold the right to use the painting. There’s only one original painting. I won’t get paid again.”

“Are you suggesting that your painting will be worth more than my novel?”

“Time will tell. Time will tell.”

HISTORICAL HISTORY

June 5: On this day in 2018 the first of the ‘On this day in the worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs' posts appeared. This is post #2,910. They’ve grown into a book, “Every Day With Edgar Rice Burroughs.” The 412npage book contains over six thousand daily events and it includes several historic photographs and illustrations. Publication is planned for December 2026. More news when available.

    Bill Hillman has been kind enough to archive all of my ‘on this day posts,’ and you can read them at: https://www.erbzine.com/lupton/

    The drabble for today, “Historical History,” was inspired by Edgar Rice Burroughs, his life, and his legacy. My task in compiling the events was made far easier by ERB’s meticulous record keeping, diary entries, and the thousands of letters and other items that he saved. Some may call that hoarding, but hey, if all the presidents get to have a library, why shouldn’t he. Others have shared their research and of course, there’s always an afternoon scrolling though microfiche records. The drabble features my old friend, John Guidry, God rest his soul, from New Orleans.

HISTORICAL HISTORY
“Robert, I liked the drabble yesterday. It was funny, but I can’t imagine why anyone cares about the birthday of some obscure actress in a Tarzan film, a film without a single print still in existence.”

“John, history is important.”

“But no one cares about her birthday.”

“And no one cares about who lost a mayoral election a hundred years ago, but that’s history.”

“History is Ancient Greece, Rome, and George Washington.”

“History isn’t schoolbooks. The knowledge of history pays the highest dividends. I know that history will be kind to Edgar Rice Burroughs because I’m helping to write it.”

MOON CALLED

June 6: On this day in 1982, the one-shot Mike Grell written and illustrated Tarzan Sunday newspaper comic page, “Jane Awakens,” was published. The story takes place on the night of a full moon. Jane awakens to find Tarzan gone. He’s answered the call of the full moon and is dancing the Dum-Dum with this Mangani family. She hears the drums and smiles, knowing that her husband must answer his heritage, but that he’ll be back home after sunrise.

    All of the Mike Grell Tarzan Sunday pages are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag29/2967.html

    The drabble for today, “Moon Called,” is 160 words long, but I couldn’t bear to make it any shorter. It was inspired by the Sunday page and by the song. “I’ll Go On Downtown,” by Robert Earl Keen. You should give his original song a listen, but think about vampires or about a Dum-Dum when you do. Remember, the road goes on forever and the party never ends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRM5aX8n0kM

Several of the words in this filk song version are Mr. Keens. The first verse is completely his. They fit so well that I didn’t change them.

MOON CALLED

I've got clothes in my closet and new shoes to wear
And all that I wanted, I've got more than my share
And the woman who loves me she's more than a dream
So why am I feeling so low down and mean?

Well, I stopped visiting Opar two years ago
And I ain't thought about La for a month now or so
And I tell everybody that I've nothin' to hide
While I keep the mangani locked deep down inside

And tonight I'll be out there a dancing' around
Tonight by the light of the moon on the ground
Tonight while Jane’s sleepin', we’ll be at it all night
And if I get lucky, there might be a fight.

We used to get crazy and swing in the trees

We'd party all night and do as we please.

But now we're all married and some moved away

And we have to be home by the first light of day.

FUEL SHORTAGE

June 7: On this day in 1942, the John Carter of Mars Sunday comic episode #27, Treachery, was published. The beautifully illustrated Sunday pages by John Coleman Burroughs with help from his wife, Jane Ralston Burroughs, were only published in three newspapers. It was hard to compete with the news of WW2.

The episode begins with John Carter embracing Dejah Thoris, while he holds his longsword inches from their necks. Never a good plan. The second panel features Vovo, a seriously undersized Green Martian. He’s about five feet tall instead of well over then feet in height. Vovo has created giant thoats and mechanical men, who remind me of the statues on Easter Island. Vovo promises to help John and Dejah, but he only leads them into another trap.

    All of the pages may be viewed at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag22/2281.html

    The drabble for today, “Fuel Shortage,” inspired by the Sunday page. And for the record, gasoline was in common use for automobiles when Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote “A Princess of Mars,” but arguably not when the story was set. The adventure, “A Princess of Mars,” began in 1866. Gasoline was considered a dangerous byproduct of the production of kerosene in the 1860s.

FUEL SHORTAGE
John Carter held the miniscule Vovo, an undersized Green Martian at swordpoint.”
Vovo said, “Please don’t hurt me. I’ve made a mechanical thoat. It will take you home.”

“It can travel that far?”

“Yes. It runs on a fuel I distill from the underground oil.”

“We call that gasoline on my planet.”

Their robotic mount stopped only moments later, squatted, and for all intents and purposes, relieved itself in the cobblestone courtyard.”

Carter fruitlessly urged the thoat to continue, but Dejah pointed to the spreading puddle.”
John shrugged. “Dismount. It seems our steed has lost all of its gasoline.”

SEE YOU IN THE FUNNY PAPERS

June 8: On this day the Hal Foster/R. W. Palmer daily comic adaption of Tarzan of the Apes, concluded. This was Foster’s first, last, and only daily strip, The sixty episode strip has been reprinted three times, by Grosset & Dunlap in 1929 and 1932 and by House of Greystoke in 1967 as “The Illustrated Tarzan Book No. 1.” You can read the entire story at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag23/2390.html

    The drabble for today, “See You In the Funny Papers, isn’t funny, it’s a bit of history about how the publisher, Metropolitan Books came about. A nice touch of serendipity.

SEE YOU IN THE FUNNY PAPERS

Joseph H. Neebe contracted with ERB to produce a comic strip based on TARZAN OF THE APES. Mr. Neebe formed a new syndicate, Famous Books and Plays, Inc. He was unable to hire obtain J. Allen St. John, and hired Harold Foster to produce TARZAN OF THE APES in strip form. Neebe then contacted Maximilian Elser, Jr., of The Metropolitan Newspaper Service and arranged for distribution of the strip and a new company was formed. “The Metropolitan Newspaper Service and Famous Books and Plays, Inc, which also formed Metropolitan Books, Inc., whose first book was TARZAN AND THE LOST EMPIRE.

ONE SMALL STEP

June 9: On this day in 1996, the Gray Morrow illustrated and Jack C. Harris scripted Tarzan Sunday comic, “Children of the Wing,” concluded after a run of 13 episodes. Gray Morrow illustrated the Sunday Tarzan strip from March 1983 until August 2001. The strip stopped publishing new work less than a year from his departure.

    Tarzan helps an American agents search for a missing atomic bomb. They encounter a lost tribe, who worship a long dead WW2 American pilot. The pilot told the natives that he had deliberately crashed in the jungle to keep men from using ‘the silver bird of death’ and its payload. In his memory, the tribe call themselves, the Children of the Wing. They have hidden his bomber in the jungle and a ‘lost A-bomb’ is inside. A little greed, a little betrayal, and a fight over what happens to a very old atomic bomb. So, a lost bomb and evil greedy men – what can go wrong?

    Read the entire story arc at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag48/4809.html

    The 100 word drabble for today, One Small Step, was inspired by the story arc.

ONE SMALL STEP

Tarzan talked to the American agent. “This plane is at least fifty years old. You say its carrying an atomic bomb?”

“Right. Besides the two that were used in WW2, A third bomber was taking the long way to Japan. It was lost.”

“The natives say the pilot crashed here deliberately to keep the bomb from being used.”

“The agent shrugged. “Don’t understand why he didn't follow orders. One man’s actions never change anything.”

“I have to disagree,” replied Tarzan. “The determined actions of one man or one woman is the only thing that ever changes things for the better.”

EMBRACE THE FUTURE

June 10: On this day in 1945, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The world’s oldest war correspondent wrote a letter to his daughter, Joan, with the return address ‘In Port Somewhere.” He went ashore on the small island atoll of Ulithi and drank beer with King Ueg, who was an infantile paralysis victim who is pushed around in a two-wheel cart.

    You can read the entire letter and several more at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0719.html

    Ulithi is a remote coral atoll in the Caroline Islands. King Ueg was the paramount chief of Ulithi Atoll during World War II. A respected and charismatic leader, he is best known for his cooperation with the U.S. military after the Allies established a massive naval forward staging base in the atoll. When the U.S. Navy occupied the atoll in late 1944 to build a massive naval base. Despite suffering from paralysis, he maintained strong relations with the Americans. He and his people notably befriended U.S. Navy doctor Marshall Wees, who provided vital medical care to the islanders, treating widespread illnesses and improving living conditions.

Historically, this tiny atoll was the site of the world's largest naval facility during WWII, serving as a staging ground for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Today, it is a pristine, little-known ecotourism and diving destination.

    The drabble for today, “Embrace the Future,” was inspired by King Ueg, and the islanders of Ulithi.

EMBRACE THE FUTURE

Burroughs handed a beer to King Ueg. “I’m surprised that you are working with the Americans. The culture of your people is changing.”

“The American forces bring food, medicine, and better tools. Why would a not want a better life for my people?”

“Most people, especially rulers, oppose change.”

King Ueg laughed, “I’m not a Luddite. Progress is inevitable. A man can benefit from new things or he can let the world pass him by.”

“You know about Luddites.”

“Of course. I can read you know. People who stand against progress are often paved over by the asphalt of time.”

THE ELEPHANT PARADE

June 11: On this day in 1949, the Paul Reinman illustrated and Rob Thompson scripted Tarzan daily newspaper story arc, “Tarzan and the Slavers,” concluded after a run of fifty-four daily episodes. Thompson scripted the dailies for about two years. Reinman’s stint as the artist lasted almost exactly one year. Reinman’s Tarzan reminded me of Hal Foster’s ape man. The story arc has evil men, the slavers, beautiful women in peril, a crocodile fight, an elephant stampede, and Tarzan overcoming almost impossible odds. What more can you ask for?

    Read the entire comic run at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag49/4929.html

    The drabble for today, The Elephant Parade, was inspired by the story arc. A little thanks to the Jedi Master, Yoda.

< style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">THE ELEPHANT PARADE
< style="font-weight: bold;">Tarzan confronted Hassan, the ivory poacher and slaver. “Free these people immediately. Your men will follow me to the elephant graveyard and they will bury the ivory you’ve stolen.”
< style="font-weight: bold;">
< style="font-weight: bold;"> “I think not. You are alone. Surrender and take me to that graveyard where I will take all the ivory we can carry. Otherwise, I’ll kill all of my slaves, including the women and children.”
< style="font-weight: bold;">
< style="font-weight: bold;">
< style="font-weight: bold;">        “I’m not alone. Justice and the jungle are on my side. You won’t like it if I’m forced to call the elephants.”

        “I’m not afraid of elephants.”

“Maybe not, but you will be. You will be!”

EVERYBODY GETS THE BLUES
<>

June 12: On this day in 1928, Actor, singer, and record producer, Bernie Hamilton, who played Shaka in S02E22 and S02E23, The Four O’clock Army parts one and two, Shambu insS01E26 and S01E27,The Perils of Charity Jones, parts one and two, and Mwanza de Ludanzi in S01E22, Basil of the Bulge, of the Ron Ely Tarzan television series was born in East Los Angeles. Hamilton’s other appearances included, Mysterious Island, Jungle-Man-Eaters, Carmen Jones, Kismet, Congo Crossing, and Up Periscope.

Details about every episode of the Ron Ely television series are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014.html

He is best known as Captain Dobey in the United States 1970s police series Starsky & Hutch. After Starsky and Hutch, Hamilton by and large quit acting, playing in only four roles, his last role being an episode of The Love Boat in 1985. Instead, he went into the music business, producing R&B and gospel records.

The 100 word drabble for today, “Everybody Gets the Blues,” was inspired by the life of Bernie Hamilton.

EVERYBODY GETS THE BLUES

While filming the Tarzan television show, Ron Ely said, “Mr. Hamilton, this is your fifth show. You’re almost a regular.”

“I don’t want to be a regular, I’m just acting until I’ve got the bread to start my own record company. I’ll do gospel music and a lot of rhythm and blues.”

Ron smiled. “Never understood why it’s called rhythm and blues. Should be rhythm or blues. If you don’t have rhythm, then you’d have the blues.”

Hamilton shook his head. “No, everybody get the blues, but if you don’t got rhythm, won’t nobody listen to you singing about them.”

STONE COLD DRILLER

June 13: On this day in 1914, the “New York Evening World” serialization of At the Earth’s Core, concluded. In those days, many novels were first published in pulp magazines and then parceled out to newspapers, one paper at a time for serialization. The New York Evening World serialized a number of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novels. Payment was usual based on circulation. Some of Ed’s stories were serialized in newspapers with circulations of less than a couple hundred copies and some in larger ones, such as the New York Evening World.

The ERBzine website has a pretty comprehensive list, but every month or so, I find a new-to-me example of some forgotten newspaper that serialized Tarzan of the Apes or A Princess of Mars.

https://www.erbzine.com/mag14/1439.html

The drabble for today, “Stone Cold Driller,” was inspired by the “New York Evening World’s” publication of “At the Earth’s Core.”

STONE COLD DRILLER

The Evening Word Editor said, “Thank goodness that Earth’s Core story ended last Sunday. I thought we hit rock bottom with that one.”

The fiction editor answered, “That’s a pun isn’t it. Be gneiss. The book was a hidden gem. I know you thought the story rocked.”

“Of quartz I did, but you shouldn’t take my opinion for granite.”

“The agent had the books were on shale. Three for two, a Tarzan, a Mars, and this one.”

“No schist. OK, clean slate, but give me a heads-up nest time. You got that?”

“It’s Sedimentary, my dear editor. You’re crystal clear.”

GREED AND CURIOSITY

June 14: On this day in 1931, Edgar Rice Burroughs completed a crime short story, Calling All Cars, which was included in Forgotten Tales of Love and Murder, published by John Guidry and Pat Adkins on this day in 2001. The story is available to read for free in two parts at ERBzine. Part one includes a link to part two and is located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag80/8056.html
The story concerns the reclusive millionaire, Jephet Seegar, and his friend and servant, Maddox. I won’t provide any additional information about the story, no spoilers here. The story does include a short poem. ERB wrote close to 50,000 words of poetry that I’ve been able to find. Here’s the short one from calling all cars:
“There is a house upon a hill
“Where dwell the landed gentry.
“Follow the road at the old blue mill,
“And search the Gothic entry.”
The 100-word drabble, “Greed and Curiosity,” for today was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs as part of the ‘set-up’ in his story, ‘Calling All Cars.” It has been slightly edited to fit the 100 word drabble format.

GREED AND CURIOSITY
Jephet Seegar had been no mean master. Not only had Maddox’s wages been higher than he could have received in any other calling, but he’d been the recipient of many gifts from his employer, and had discovered he’d been made a substantial beneficiary of Mr. Jephet Seegar’s will. This fact he’d discovered while rummaging through Jephet’s private papers, for one of Maddox’s weaknesses was inordinate curiosity. Another was avarice. Jephet accused him of having the first nickel he’d ever made, and though he may not have the first one, it’s safe to say he had a large percentage of them

JOHNNY OF THE JUNGLE

June 15: On this day in 1929, the Hartford Courant newspaper published the article, “Weissmuller Ideal Tarzan Says Creator.” Weissmuller portrayed the King of the Jungle in twelve feature films between 1932 and 1948. The article was written in the first person and ERB is the byline provided.

Read the entire article at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag17/1788.html#ideal
The 100 -word drabble for today, “Johnny of the Jungle,” is a slightly edited section from that article by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

JOHNNY OF THE JUNGLE
The other evening, I saw the preview of my latest Tarzan story to reach the screen. It was Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Tarzan Finds A Son" with Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan and Maureen O'Sullivan as Jane and a group of other actors as my characters It’s a thrill to see real persons enact one's pet characters. I've seen it time and again, starting when Elmo Lincoln was Tarzan. But, I’m no longer a critic of my own stories on the screen. Johnny Weissmuller is just Tarzan to me. The fact that he’s ideal for the role may have something to do with it.

To Days 15-30 at ERBzine 8227a