The Lion Cub Incident

Doctor Nikidik brings a terrified lion cub to his lecture, intending to use it to demonstrate the difference between Animals and animals. He plans to cauterize part of its brain to eliminate pain. Elphaba is outraged and stands up to protest, questioning where the cub's mother is. Other students join her, and two girls rescue the cub, carrying it out of the room. The lecture collapses in an uproar. This event further cements Elphaba's reputation as a loudmouth and a defender of Animals. It also highlights the cruelty of the Wizard's regime and the complicity of the university in its policies.