Mystical Power
Tracker's notable sense of smell symbolizes mystical power. Tracker is a well-known person because he can easily smell lost persons and trace them. Therefore, the main role of Tracker is to help people trace their lost kin. In the story, Tracker has been given a special assignment to look for the young lost boy who has gone missing for years. The king believes that Tracker's ability to smell will play a significant role in locating the young boy and bringing him alive.
The lost boy
The author figuratively uses the young lost boy to represent treasure. According to the king, the lost boy is significant to the kingdom. Besides recruiting Tracker to look for the young boy, the king has also recruited several other groups for a similar task. Among the recruited people to work alongside Tracker is Leopard, a shape-shifter. Consequently, the lost boy is a symbol of lost fortune.
Circumcision
The author emblematically uses circumcision to symbolize the transition from childhood to adulthood. However, this symbol is also a paradox because Tracker is already a grownup man, but he is scheduled to be circumcised. Towards the end, Tracker refuses to be circumcised because he remembers the pain he inflicts when cutting them.
African myths
Tracker's endless folktales represent African myths. In his search for the lost boy, Tracker befriends many, and he tells them various versions of stories, some of which are impossible to believe. More importantly, Tracker represents folktales' African heritage, mythical but educational.
