The short story “The Tiger King” by Premchand is included in the CBSE Class 12th NCERT English Flamingo book. It explores arrogance, tyranny, and the consequences of selfish leadership through the tale of a king obsessed with killing tigers.
The story narrates the life of a self-centered king who prioritizes his ego over the welfare of his people. His obsession with hunting tigers becomes a metaphor for misuse of power and shortsightedness, ultimately leading to his downfall. Premchand uses satire, irony, and vivid imagery to highlight the dangers of unchecked ambition and despotism.
For CBSE Class 12 students, The Tiger King is important for summary, theme, character analysis, and literary devices. Key elements include symbolism, moral lessons, and narrative techniques, which are useful for board exam questions and comprehension exercises.