Four Levels of the Story "A Fight between a Lion and a Crocodile" (BBA/BBA-BI/BBA-TT/BHM/BHCM/BCIS)

A Fight between a Lion and a Crocodile

- H. Rider Haggard

Literal Comprehension:

The story composed by the writer H. Rider Haggard “A Fight between a Lion and a Crocodile” is about a fearful confrontation between a lion and a crocodile. The story starts with the journey of the narrator and his friends. On their journey, they sleep on the bank of the river at the late night. While sleeping, they hear a different kind of roaring sound, so one of the narrator’s friends, Job screams out of fear. At the same time, all of them see the sight of two moving objects coming towards them crossing the surface of water. They are two real male and female lions with ferocious eyes. Then Leo picks up his rifle and fires at the lioness when it comes near to them. The bullet goes through the lioness’ mouth, so the lioness dies then and there. But the fully grown lion is two steps behind the lioness. Suddenly, a crocodile catches the lion by its leg and also holds the lion’s body in its jaws and squeezes. Then the lion manages to save itself on the bank. In the fighting, the lion claws the crocodile's head and tears its one eye. The fighting continues for a long time. They roll over and over upon the bank. Finally, the lion, the king of Jungle dies dropping its head on the crocodile’s back, and after some minutes, the crocodile, the King of Water also dies rolling over motionless.

Interpretation:

Through the animal story, it is trying to tell us that life is full of struggle, so one has to struggle physically as well as mentally against everything. Besides, it suggests us that for our existence and identity we should never give up till our breath. Not only this, it advises us not to involve in any kind of bloody fighting because fighting can never be a solution for anyone’s identity, existence and harmonious life even if we are all powerful.

Critical Thinking:

Though the story conveys a universal fact that life is full of struggle, there are some unconvincing ideas and events. So, we can raise some questions regarding them. The questions are:

- Is it possible for people to fall asleep even after hearing roaring sound?

- Can a crocodile grip a lion easily?

- How did the narrator and his friends feel safe in that place?

Assimilation:

After reading this story, I came to know that in the name of struggle, fighting against each other is not a solution. I also realized that though life is full of struggle, we should move forward being united but not becoming arrogant on our strength.