Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back, first published in 1963, is a children's story written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein.

It is narrated by Shel Silverstein in the voice of a character named Uncle Shelby.

[1] It was part of a long history of Silverstein's contributions to the magazine and his close relationship with Hugh Hefner, the publication's founder.

[2] One night, a group of lions in the African jungle are awakened by the sound of a gunshot and flee.

He then meets Uncle Shelby (obviously Shel Silverstein, as he tells the story) and goes to the barbershop, where he gets his paws shined, his claws manicured, and a free haircut.

Lafcadio goes into the circus tent, where he accomplishes a number of stunts with his gun: for example, he shoots six bottles off the table, a hundred balloons off the ceiling, and a marshmallow off everybody's head (including some monkeys).

He begins to behave more and more like humans, standing on his back paws, wearing clothes, playing sports, painting pictures, and so on.