ERBzine 8351: Drabbles Oct. 1-15, 2026 Part 1

LIVING THE LIFE

October 1: On this day in 2006, Actor and author, Alan Calliou, Eyes of the Lion, The Ultimate Weapon, Leopard on the Loose, A Life for a Life, and The Prodigal Puma of the Ron Ely Tarzan TV series, died in Sedona, Arizona. He was born in Surrey, England as Alan Samuel Lyle-Smythe, but he wrote and acted under the name Alan Calliou. He served with the Palestine Police in the 1930s and spoke Arabic. At the outbreak of World War II, he joined the British Army, operated behind enemy lines in Libya and Tunisia, escaped a firing squad execution, and worked with guerrillas in Yugoslavia. After the war, he was a police chief in Ethiopia, a district officer in Somalia, and the founder of a theatrical company in Africa.

Calliou acted in dozens of films and television shows. He wrote several novels including fifty-two thrillers under the Calliou name and as Alex Webb. He wrote scripts for The Man From U.N.C.L.E. His novels drew controversy because of their intense violence, depictions of torture, raw sexuality, and outdated colonialist themes.

Details about the Tarzan episodes he appeared in are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014.html

The one hundred drabble for today is, “Living the Life,” inspired by real life hero, writer, and actor Alan Samuel Lyle-Smythe.

LIVING THE LIFE
In the set of Tarzan, Ron Ely said, “ Alan, I’ve read three of your books. I’m shocked at the violence and raw sex. You even write about torture.”

“Life is violent. I was a policeman. During the war, I was an intelligence officer. I was captured, tortured, and escaped.

I fought with the guerrillas in Yugoslavia. I know about violence, I lived with violence.”

“It seems over the top.”

“Said the man who’s been bitten by a lion and clawed by a leopard.”

“Touche. What about the sex in your books.”

“Ron, you know that a gentleman never tells."

October 2: On this day in 1932, the Hal Foster illustrated and George Carlin scripted Tarzan Sunday newspaper comic story arc, Into the Primeval Swamp, began. Just to be clear, the writer wasn’t that George Carlin, although I’m sure there are more than seven words you can’t use in a Sunday comic. The artwork is brilliant. Meet the fabulous Gigantosaurus.

View the page and access links to several more pages at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag55/5555.html

The drabble for today, Ankle Biter, was inspired by the story arc and by the Gigantosaurus.

ANKLE BITER
Tarzan and von Harben struggled through the muck and mire, fighting to escape the ooze before some unknown swamp denizen attacked dragged them under the slime. They found an island and pulled themselves to safety. Suddenly, the island shook and stood. It wasn’t an island. It was a huge dinosaur.

Von said, “It’s alive. Big too!”

Tarzan said, “Big? You could land a small thing on its back.”

“How can we fight a creature this big?”

“Tarzan replied, “With reptiles it’s a matter of scale. Start with its ankles.”

“Why the ankles?”

“A dog must bite what it can reach.”

DAMNED IF I DO, DAMNED IF I DON'T

October 3, o this day in 2001, the twenty-seventh episode of Tarzan and the Return of La, of Disney’s The Legend of Tarzan animated TV series aired. Again, a pretty adult theme for a cartoon series, involving body possession and seduction.

Jane stumbled across a fallen fawn. Jane attempted to help the suffering animal, but when she placed her hands on the creature's face the soul of Queen La shot out from the animal and into Jane, possessing her body.

Using her new acquired body La attempted to climb up the cliffs that lead to Opar, but is unable to due to Jane's less than muscular physique. Upon realizing she can't make it to Opar alone, she headed back to camp to see if Tarzan would help her. She attempted to seduce him, but this confused Tarzan, Frustrated, La stormed off confusing Tarzan more.

Walking around the jungle alone in a flimsy body, Queen La stumbled across Dumont's Trading Post and seduced Renard Dumont into helping her. Eventually Jane was able to regain her body. La’s spirit transferred into the body of a rat. Tarzan and Jane live happily until the next episode.'

A list of all the episodes is available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014.html#disney

The drabble for today. “Damned if I Do, Damned if I Don’t,” was inspired by the episode and its theme.

DAMNED IF I DO, DAMNED IF I DON'T

Jane had taken control of her body back from Queen La, who had possessed it. It took her a moment to reassert control.

Tarzan said, “Jane, my love, you look differently. Is this you or does Queen La still control your body?”

“It’s me. I can’t remember what happened while she was in control. Did I do anything to be ashamed of?”

“No, La, pretending to be you, attempted to seduce me. I refused.”

“You refused me? That’s horrible.”

“What if I’d accepted her offer?”

“Even more trouble!”

“Whatever I chose, I’d be wrong?”

“For men, that’s how relationships work.”

UPSET STOMACH

October 4: On this day in 1942, the John Coleman Burroughs written and illustrated John Carter of Mars Sunday page #44, Watery Tomb was published.

Read the entire story at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag22/2281.html

In this episode, John Carter, is swallowed by a giant fish. My immediate reaction was to wonder where the ocean came from. I thought the seas of Barsoom had long since dried up.

The 100 drabble for today, “Upset Stomach,” was inspired by the episode and by a song by Louis Armstrong, “Jonah and the Whale.” Here’s new filk song about John Carter and the dragon-fish.

UPSET STOMACH

Along came a dragon-fish, it was big and wide

And it swallowed John Carter, hair and hide.

Now John started to think while in the belly of that beast.

He hadn’t come to Barsoom to end a fish’s feast.

John thought I hope I don’t taste like beef or veal.

And sure enough, the dragon-fish hated his meal.

Well, it swam around in the ocean, as sick as it could be

And after three days, it retched, choked, and it puked John free.

John checked himself over from head to toe.

And he said, now I’m a real live Pinocchi

THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR

October 5: On this day in 1996, episode number four, Tarzan and the Lost Legion, of the Tarzan: The Epic Adventures TV series was released.

For information about all of the episodes: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014a.html

A Roman Legion that has survived in the jungle for 900 years learns that the Empire has fallen. A harsh ruler named Claudius controls the city. Claudius captures Tarzan and throws him in a cell. He tries to force Tarzan to betray his friends. Tarzan refuses to fight unarmed opponents and stands against the tyranny. Tarzan and his ally, Themba, are forced into the "circle of death" arena to fight each other. Instead of fighting to the death, Tarzan inspires the oppressed people and soldiers to start a revolt against Claudius.

The drabble for today, “The Only Thing We Have to Fear,” was inspired by the episode.

THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR

Themba said, “I don’t want to fight you in the arena, Tarzan. You’re my friend.”

“I don’t want to fight you either. When they give us our swords, instead of fighting we’ll attack the guards.”

“I’m afraid. There are dozens of guards. They could kill us. They could set lions on us.”

“Yes, our enemies can do a lot of things. We can’t control what they could do, we can only control what we do.”

“They could kill us, Tarzan. I’m afraid.”

“Be brave. More men are killed by their fear of what if, than are killed by their enemies.

JUST PLOTTING

<>October 6. On this day in 1919, the third authorized film based on the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, THE OAKDALE AFFAIR, was released by World Film Corp. No known print of the silent film is known to exist. ERB sold the film rights to Red Book Corporation for $1,000.00. Red Book turned the rights over to the World Film Corporation. The five-reel film ran for twenty-five minutes. The cast included Evelyn Greeley, Corene Uzzell, Eric Mayne, Reginald Denny, Maude Turner Gordon, and an uncredited dancing bear.

Details about the film are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0765a.html

The drabble for today, “Just Plotting Along,” is taken from a less than rave review of the film in the October 11, 1919 issue of “Exhibitor’s Trade Review.

JUST PLOTTING

Much of which is sufficiently ridiculous but quite in keeping with the maniacal foolishness of the remainder of the plot. There’s the murder of Reginald Paynter, who vanishes immediately after being perforated with a bullet and is seen no more. Melodramatic license can be stretched to a pretty raw limit in film land, but it isn't elastic enough to cover up the glaring errors of this picture, which exceeds all reasonable limits in its excursions into the wildly improbable. Director Oscar Apfel did the best he could to bring order out of chaos, but found the task a hopeless one.

MEMORY TRAINING

October 7: .On this day in 2001, episode #30, Tarzan and the Prison Break, The Legend of Tarzan animated TV series, aired. Guest stars included Dave Thomas, joe Flaherty, Jim Cummings, Maurice La Marche, and Rob Paulsen.

A complete list of the episodes is located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014.html#disney

In this episode two deserters, Hugo and Hooft convince Tarzan to help them gather special ingredients for their hot sauce. The sauce, with the guys' names on the bottle, becomes popular with the French Foreign Legion and is brought to the attention of Lt. Col. Staquait. Staquait then vows to re-capture Hugo and Hooft for deserting and he traps Hooft and Hugo. He takes them in ... to "Cape of Doom" Prison. Upon attempting to free his friends, Tarzan is captured and locked up too. Only Jane can contact the Magistrate and settle this once and for all.

The drabble for today is, Memory Training, and it was inspired by the episode.

MEMORY TRAINING

Lt. Colonel Staquait inspected the hot sauce and realised it had been bottled by two deserters, Hugo, and Hooft, from the French Foreign Legion. He immediately swore to recapture the men and soon did so.

Hooft, who was entangled in a net, said, “Colonel Staquait, so nice to see you. You seem to be upset? Was our hot sauce too much to handle?”

Staquait smashed the hot sauce bottle. “Merde! You didn’t return from leave. Such behavior is inexcusable.”

“Well, excusez-moi. Sir, we forgot.”

“Forgot, did you. Perhaps a few years of hard labor in prison will help you remember.”

A STUDY IN CONTRASTS

October 8: On this day in 1910, the Edgar Rice Burroughs poem, “Look on This Picture, Then on That,” was published under the pseudonym, Normal Bean, by the Chicago Tribune. Yes that’s right, Edgar Rice Burroughs used the pseudonym, Normal Bean, before “Under the Moons of Mars.” The poem consists of two cantos and runs a little more than 300 words, including the introduction.

The poem, and several more by Burroughs, are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0003.html#1

The drabble for today is “A Study in Contrasts,” the first one hundred words of the poem, “Look on This Picture, Then on That.” The drabble includes the introduction as it appeared in the Chicago, Tribune. The other two parts to the poem will be included in the next two articles. It was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, I mean by Normal Bean. Norman Bean hadn’t appeared in print just yet.

A STUDY IN CONTRASTS
A study in contrasts shuffled up and presented by Dr. Normal Bean of Oak Park,

An adept with the physical and metaphysical speculum, a man of broad and deep perspective and withal some pinch hitter at making verses. Cut the cards:

A gang of lowbrows sits around

And chows and spits upon the ground.

They wear their hats and smoke cigars,

<>.

HORRIFIED BY HOLY SHAME

October 10: Edgar Rice Burroughs poem, “Look on This Picture, Then on That,” was published under the pseudonym, Normal Bean, by the Chicago Tribune. Yes that’s right, Edgar Rice Burroughs used the pseudonym, Normal Bean, before “Under the Moons of Mars.” The poem consists of two cantos and runs a little over 300 words including the introduction.

The poem, and several more by Burroughs, are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0003.html#1

As promised, the drabble for today is “Horrified With Holy Shame,” the concluding portion the poem, “Look on This Picture, Then on That.” The other two parts to the poem were posted in the two preceding articles. It was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, I mean by Normal Bean. Norman Bean hadn’t appeared in print just yet.

HORRIFIED BY HOLY SHAME
They've brought their women and their kids

To show their manners and their lids.

They smoke cigars and cigarets,

And wager gentlemanly bets,

Until a party with a gun

Explodes the same and starts the fun

Which is, as near as I can tell

A cloud of dust -- a whiz -- a smell --

A punctured tire -- a deadly curve --

A mangled heap of blood and nerve --

A broken gear -- a lost control --

A dead man mussing up the goal --

A fractured thigh -- a busted head --

A dying son -- a sweetheart dead --

A young wife's shriek -- a mother's moan,

Some blasted hopes -- one left alone.

FOLLOW THE LEADER

October 11: On this day in 1937, the William Juhre illustrated and Don Garden scripted Tarzan daily story arc, “Tarzan Under Fire,” began. The story featured the Tarzan Twins, Jad-bal-ja, the Golden Lion, and a mysterious tribe. You can read the entire story at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag40/4056.html

Or you can find a copy of “The Illustrated Tarzan book Number 23,” published by House of Greystoke (1968).

The 100-word drabble for today is, “Follow The Leader,” inspired by the story arc and by what seems to be the inevitable fate of civilizations, large and small.
Eventually, a leader gains power by promising prosperity through war or promising prosperity through free food and services to those who support the leader.
Neither works long term. The Romans learned that you can’t defeat everyone else, every time, and that once bread is free, the bakers stopped getting up in the mornings.

FOLLOW THE LEADER
Jane was saddened by the abandoned village. “Tarzan, the Conjonta, were a powerful tribe. What happened?”

“Leadership. There ruler started foolish wars, enforced draconian laws, and killed those who didn’t agree with him.”

“They should have overthrown him.”

“They did. They chose a well-meaning woman. She sought to appease everyone, disbanded the army, seized the harvest and the hunter’s catches, and gave it to those who hadn’t worked. Soon, no one farmed or hunted. Those who didn’t starve, moved away.”

How sad, Tarzan. They needed better leaders.”

“People don’t get the leaders they need, they get the leaders they deserve.”

Bogart: “I don’t know whether I’m too good for you or you’re too good for me”.

once”

MEETING YOUR HEROES

October 12: On this day in 2001, episode 35, Tarzan and the Mysterious Visitor, of Disney’s The Legend of Tarzan animated series, featuring Edgar Rice Burroughs in the storyline, was released. Actor Steven Weber voiced Edgar Rice Burroughs. I can recall three times ERB was portrayed on screen, this one, in and episode of Murdock Mysteries, and in the film, John Carter. This one was the first that I know of..

A writer named Ed is in desperate need of some inspiration for his next novel. He finds it while walking down the street in the form of a newspaper article about Tarzan, "The Missing Link". Ed heads out into the jungle to find Tarzan himself. Ed meets with Tarzan in person for the first time when saved by the jungle man himself from Nuru and Sheeta. Jane, claims that Ed is completely missing the point of Tarzan's character, then shares with Ed about the romantic side of Tarzan's personality which is what led her to fall in love with Tarzan and to stay in the jungle. Returning home, Ed then incorporates the various elements of Tarzan's personality, adventures and encounters to create the novel Tarzan of the Apes.

A list of all the episodes is located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014.html#disney

Th drabble for today is, “Meeting Your Heroes,” inspired by the story arc.

MEETING YOUR HEROES
Ed said, “Tarzan, I learned about you from a newspaper article, “The Missing Link.” Having met you, I understand the article was inaccurate, you aren’t the missing link. You’re an intelligent British Lord, who learned to survive in the jungle. The perfect example of mankind.”

Jane laughed, “Don’t say perfect, Mr. Burroughs, he’s hard enough to live with already.”

“Jane, are you saying that Tarzan isn’t perfect.”

“I love him, but he’s not perfect, but he’s close enough. I don’t do laundry, cook, or wash dishes.”

“What’s not to like?”

“Sometimes he stays out all night with his rowdy friends

PANDA EXPRESSION

October 13: I should appologize for this post in advance. Ninety-six years ago on this day in 1930, Ed wrote his nephew, Studley, and said he’d and his son-in-law, James Pierce invested $10,000 with the California Vitamine Company to develop chicken feed from oranges. The investment didn’t go well at the time, but the inclusion of orange parts in chicken feed is typically made by processing dried orange peels, pulp, or citrus juice-extraction byproducts into commercial or DIY poultry rations at low inclusion rates (usually 5% to 10%. It’s not a filler because Citrus residue contains crude protein (around 7%), fiber, essential oils, flavonoids, and natural antioxidants. Incorporating properly processed citrus waste can cut commercial feed costs by 10% to 25%.

Information about the investment is located at: www.erbzine.com/bio/years30.html

The drabble for today, “Panda Expression,” is a fictional discussion about investing in orange-based chicken feed.

PANDA EXPRESSION

Studley Burroughs said, “Uncle, chicken feed made from oranges? If you’ve got money to spend, I’ve got a bridge in New York.”

Ed said, “I don’t have a seed of doubt. Chickens eat anything. Oranges are rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. I’m hoping for the zest. Trust me, someday Orange Chicken will be a really big peel. They promise fruitful results.”

“It sounds stupandas, but my advice isn’t a random act of rimdness.

“Studley, you’re just being pithy. Orange you glad I’m inviting you to participate. No one is trying to bamboozle you. Invest now, better late than navel.”

SILENT RUNNING

October 14: On this day in 1951, the Bob Lubbers illustrated and Dick Van Buren scripted Tarzan Sunday comic story arc, “Tarzan and the Panther Men, began. The beautifully illustrated story is available in Portuguese at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag75/7536.html

My entire Portuguese vocabulary consists of two phrases, “Bom dia,” good morning, and “Tudo bem?, all good.

The story I can piece together from the visuals is that Tarzan befriends a hunter and a native warrior. The warrior is captured by the Panther Men, humans wearing the hides of black panthers. Tarzan leads the warrior’s tribe against the Panther men. They kill several Panther Men. Tarzan saves a woman, who may or may not be Jane and then jumps into a pit where the bound hunter is about to be killed by a panther. Tarzan saves the hunter.

It should be noted that the Panther Man cult in this story arc preceded the real life Black Panther Party for Self-Defense founded by Bobby Seale and the Black Panther cult of Marvel Comics which first appeared in 1978’s Black Panther comic #7, written and illustrated by Jack Kirby.

The drabble for today is “Silent Running,” and it was inspired by the illustrations in the story arc, “Tarzan and the Panther Men.”

SILENT RUNNING

Tarzan saved a woman from the bloodthirsty Black Panther cult. She said, “They never spoke to me.”

“The panther walks in silence,” said Tarzan. “Its presence speaks louder than words.”

“I was terrified. I never saw them.”

“The panther doesn’t hide in the darkness, it is the darkness. It becomes the night, silent and deadly.”

She said, “How did you get past them?”

“Like the panther, I know when to act and when to wait. We need to leave now.”

“I have more questions.”

“No more questions. The panther knows when to be silent. A lesson most people never learn.”

REFORM OR RECIDIVATE

October 15: On this day in 1915, Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing “H. R. H. The Rider.” The story was originally serialized in four parts in All-Story Weekly during December 1918. It was published in a combined edition with “The Oakdale Affair” by ERB, Inc. on February 15, 1937. Grosset & Dunlap published hardcover reprints in 1937 and 1938. Ace books published a paperback edition in 1974 with a cover by Frank Frazetta. Today numerous unauthorized versions exist.

Publishing details, a summary, several illustrations, and a link to the entire story are lovingly provided at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0764.html

The drabble for today, “Reform or Recidivate,” and is summarizes the last passages of the novel.

REFORM OR RECIDIVATE

The next morning Boris Kargovitch was removed from his cell to be shot, but he found his father, King Constans, awaiting him. The charade of the execution had proceeded almost to the end to teach Boris a lesson. After father and son reconciled, Prince Boris and Princess Mary pledged their love anew, and the hoped-for peace between their countries was cemented. As for what happened to the highwayman, the Rider, ERB rhetorically asks his readers if they’d like him to say the highwayman reformed and wed Bakla, teasingly says he’ll say so, and then blandly states that it isn’t true.

Colourization by Chris Adams

To Days 16-31 at ERBzine 8351a