Mowgli's brothers

¡'- ~--- \(

\_\" (''
One vri:~ ~~r~ ev~ning in the Seeonee hills in Southern
)\~~ \>t\ 1 ) ~ ....,cc•"1!.b
India, Father Wolf wol<e up from his day's rest. Next to
' L~ r...5 • \. c.. .'b
., D
him la'Y Mother Wolf, with !~eir four cubs bes1de her.
" ~ \\_ t>'(C \. '<:>O ~ U\ ' e,,,._-~
' lt's time to look for f5od,' said Father Wolf, and he
\.\lC\ "\o < r, ' ,
stooa up to le'q.ve the cave. "'°'0 rr,'
b~~ ll\(i ~ ~·~• r, ~\ ~l \'.._
'Gooa uék,' said a voice. It was the jackal, Tabaqui,
r1 \ ;..i-, 1 o'"b< , (' "'- '
who eats everything and anything, even pieces of old
, o'R º <Q""t<>"'""-
clotRes from the villages. The wolves of I ~ ia do not like
hi m, because he runs around making &~~bkúdnd telling
ba11'~~~ries about them.
'Shere Khan, the tiger, is commg to look for food
here,' said Tabaqui.

'Shere Khan is coming to look far food.'

1
 '/J;" .f1111g.fe Bool?..
Mowgli's brothers
~
ºy 'f - \,}-A
'I k c.::rn't, ' l' rll'd Fathcr Wolf. '.By the Law of the Jungle
\ ~ t1 rI 'l~l (l1l\)<
h · mu st tcll us first, !J<fore he comes here to hum.' ,u.)
'>' 11 ,•" s\' ~D-1.
'ShLT · l\h.111 ha s :t bad 1 g, so he can .J<ill only cows. In
~ ..... ty\ ltl\ f
thl' vill:tgL' rw:tr hi111 the people are angry. That is why he
. "' 1 ¡ , ¡_C(1 lf'
11L'r · to start nun . a new p l ace. L'rsten,
1s con1111g mg 111
""\
you <.::111 h~ •ar h1111 now,' said Tabaqui.
'1 k is a stu pid animal,; said Father Wolf, and he
Ü I{ \ ~ ~ '.\ .vJ'0 '
li st '11l'd to the < ngry noise of a tiger who has not ea ten.
'N''~•\
o 011c w1·¡¡f·111 d anyt h.mg to eat 111t1e
. 1 iung
. 1e now. '
~;1~; not animal, tonight,'
1
'B u t Shere Khan is h u'rl.hrig
sa id · 1 ~1baqui. "~' \ e\
Thc Law of the Jungle says that animals must not
\..t
hum m an, because man-killing Eirings men with guns.
·1 l f '\.'

Thcn everybody in the jungle is in da~1fger. -

Fa ther and Mother Wolf listen.ed to Shere Khan in the
'ti <rr• , Te
ju11glc not far away. Then, slidctenly, they heard a noise
1 o' r " \\ >í
mu c.:h nca1cr to th m.
'lt's a man . A man's cub. Look!' said Father Wolf.
¡ ~\ ~.:
Anc.I th c rc in front of tHem stood a baby \\(hQ ~ould
1\ \

., \ ( '\ W\ / I \f:I ;:i

JUSt wa1k. 1 le looJ<ed up at Father Wolf and laughed.
'Is that a man's cub?' asked Mother Wolf. 'I have
SI i ~.\ ~ r
never seen onc. Bring it hcre.' .s l ubY-· I rci .
The ba by, small and with no clothes, pushed its way
r ce1r•
between the cubs to ge t ncar to Mother Wolf. 'Look,'
she said, 'he is taking his meal with the\o. thers. ¡ .
Cc vni() 0 ~·-
'I have heard that this has happened before,' said
'lt's a man. A man's cub. Look!' said Father Wo lf

2
3
 The ]ungle Book Mowgli's brothers

Father Wolf, 'but 1 have never seen it until now. Look at 1 will keep him. And 1
him. He is not afraid.' will call him Mowgli,
Suddenly, it was dark, and Shere Khan was pushing the frog.'
his great head in through the mouth of the cave. 'But what will the
'We are pleased that you visit us, Shere Khan,' said other wolves of the Pack
Father Wolf, but his eyes were angry.'What do you need?' say?'
'I am hunting a man's cub,' said Shere Khan. 'lts By the Law of the
father and mother have run away. Give it to me.' Jungle all wolf-cubs
Father Wolf knew that Shere Khan could not get must come to the Pack
inside the cave because he was too big. when they can walk. The
'The man's cub belongs to us,' he said. 'The Pack - wolves look at the cubs 'Mowgli, the frog.'
the other wolves and 1 - will decide. If we want to kill carefully. Then the cubs
him, we will kill him, not you.' are free to run anywhere becau?e all the adult wolvcs
'The man's cub belongs to me! lt is 1, Shere Khan, who know them and will not attack them.
speaks!' And Shere Khan's roar filled the cave with noise.
'No!' carne the angry voice of Mother Wolf. 'The When the four wolf-cubs could run a little, Father Wolf
man's cub belongs to me! We will not kill him. He will took them and Mowgli and Mother Wolf to the Meeting
live, to run with the other wolves, to be my son. Now go Rock. Here, the hundred wolves of the Wolf-Pack met
away, fish-killer, eater of cubs! Go!' every month when the moon was full.
Shere Khan went. He knew that he could not fight The leader of the Pack was Akela, a great grey wo lf.
Mother Wolf in the cave. 'But 1 will have this man-cub Each new wolf-cub carne to stand in front of him at1(1
one day, you thieves!' he shouted from the jungle. Akela said, 'Look well, O Wolves. Look well!'
'Do you really want to keep him, Mother?' said Father At the end, Father Wolf pushed Mowgli into th c circl t·
Wolf. of wolves. Then from the trees outside the circl c tlH·y
'Keep him?' said Mother Wolf. 'Yes. He carne here heard the voice of Shere Khan.
by night, alone and hungry, but he was not afraid. Yes, 'The man-cub belongs to me. Give him to me!'

4 5
 The ]ungle Book Mowgli's brothers

-
Akela did not move but said only, 'Look well! Who 'O Akela, will you let me speak?' said Bagh eera softl y.
speaks for this man-cub? Two voices, who are not his 'The Law of the Jungle says it is possible to buy the lifc
father and mother, must speak for him.' of a cub. It is bad to kill a man-cub. He cannot hurt
There is only one other animal who can come to these you. Let him live with you, and I will give you a fat cow,
wolf-meetings - Baloo, the sleepy brown bear. His job is newly killed, which lies in the jungle not far away.'
to teach the Law of the Jungle to the wolf-cubs. The voices of the wolves replied, 'Let him live.' They
'I speak for the man-cub,' carne Baloo's deep voice. were always hungry and they wanted to get the dead
'Let him run with the Pack. I myself will teach him.' cow. Soon they went away, and there were only Akela,
'We need another voice to speak for him,' said Akela. Bagheera, Baloo, and Mowgli's wolf family left. They
Silently, another animal jumped clown into the circle. could hear the angry roars of Shere Khan in the night.
lt was Bagheera the panther, black as the night, clever, 'It is good,' said Akela. 'Men are clever. Perhaps this
strong, and dangerous. man-cub will help us when he is older. Take him away,'

'O Akela, will you let m e speak?' said Bagheera softly.

6 7
 The ]ungle Book The Monkey-People

[lll.l ' V)
he said to Father Wolf, 'and teach him well.' the Snake-People, and all the animals that hunt,' sa id
And so, because of Baloo's good word and the present Baloo. 'It is true that he is only small. But ~1 0 onc w i 11
of a cow, Mowgli now belonged to the Seeonee Wolf-Pack. hurt him, if he remembers alhhe Master-Word s. Co mL',
Mowgli!~
' he called into the trees. 'Come and say thc
~

.ru, v-c l_ ,
The story of Mowgli's life among the wolves fills many wor ds ::iga n. ,_ ,
. ~.J uJ o
hooks, but we must jump tenor eleven years now. Father Mowgli clim5ei:l clown from a tree and carne to sit
Wolf, Baloo, and Bagheera taught Mowgli well, and he next to them. 'I will say the words to Bagheera, not yo 11 ,
lcarnt everything about the jungle. He knew the meaning fat old Baloo!' he said crossly. ~\. ft~ubD
\,y¡ .- f{ '),
of every sound in the trees, of every song of the birds, of 'Very well,' said Baloo saaly. '~ay the words far th<..:
cvcry splash in the water. He learnt to climb trees like a Hunting-People.'
monkey, to swim in the rivers like a fish, and to hunt far 'We are of one blood, you and I,' said Mowgli.
his faod as cleverly as any animal in the jungle. 'Good. Now far the birds.'

l\aloo, the old brown bea'r, loved teaching Mowgli. He

1.111µ,ht him how to speak to the different Jungle-People,
.111d lw Ln ught him the important Master-Words. But
J\l11wgli somctimes got bored with all the lessons. One
d.1y, whc11 he was not listening, Baloo hit
. him¡
. very
1111 11 ly, 1111 1lw hcad, and Mowgli ran away angrilY.
l\:1 gl11·1·1·n, llw hl:-ick panther, was not happy about
d1i .,, ' R1·1111:11dwr how srnall . h~ is,~ he sa.id to Baloo.
' l low l.111 111 ., l11tk lwnd hold all your long words?'
0

' I'IH'sr wmds will kt•t• p him safe from the birds, from Mowgli climbed down from a tree.

8 9
 The Jungle Book The Monkey-People

Mowgli said the same words but with the sound of a Monkey-People. They have no law. Their ways are not
hird. our ways. They are noisy and dirty, and they think th:11
'N ow for the Snake-People,' said Baloo. they are a great people, but then they forget everythinµ,.
Mowgli then made the long 'ssss' sound, which was The rest of the Jungle-People do not talk to them, or
1i kc no other noise, only the noise of a snake. even think about them. Remember what 1 tell you.'
~~~!Y,
1
'Good,' said Baloo 'One day you will thank Mowgli listened, and was sorry. But all this tim e
me for my lessons. Now you will be safe in the jungle, the Bandar-log were above them in the trees, listening
bccause no snake, no bird, no animal will hurt you. You and watching. ~~ey followed Mowgli and his friends
do not need to be afraid of anyone.' through the jungl~ until it was time for the midday
'And 1 shall have my people and go with them high up rest. Mowgli lfY between his friends and went to slec p,
in th e trees,' shouted Mowgli. _ &cor¡ u
~"11 1

'What did you say, Mowgli?' asked Baloo, surprised.

'l lavc you been with the Bandar-log, the Mo1!key-People?'
Mowgli could hear that Baloo was angry, and he saw
too that Bagheera's green eyes were cJld and hard.
hk- r}.,
'Whcn Baloo hurt my head,' sai Mowgli, '1 went
:1w:1y, and the grey monkeys carne down from the trees
C\,IV\4..-f \C- r
:llld 1a Ikcd to me. They were kmd to me and gave me
nin· thi11µ, s to eat. Then they took me up into the trees.
' l'hc y s:1id that J was their brother, and they wanted m,e
to he thcir b1c.kr one day. Why have you never told me
aboul tht· Monkcy-People? Bad old Baloo! They play
al l day and do11 '1 do lcssons, and 1 will play with them
again.'
'Listen, 111a1H.:ub,' s:lid Baloo angrily. '1 have taught
you th c Law for a 11 thc .Ju nglc-People, but not for the But all this time the Bandar-log were listening and wa1c/Ji11,v,.

10 11
 The ]ungle Book The Monkey-People

say ing, '1 will never talk to or play with the Monkey-
Pcople again.'
When he woke up, he was high in a tree and there
wcrc hands holding his legs and arms - _ hard, ,¡5~rong,
little hands. Down below Baloo was sh'bt'tidgL'angrily,
and Bagheera was trying to climb up the tree, but he was
too heavy for the thin branches. The monkeys, shouting
a nd laughing, carried Mowgli between them and began
thcir journey along the monkey roads, which are high in
the trees.
lt was a wild, exciting journey. The monkeys jumped
from tree-t~p to tree-top, crashing through the le~t·és.. Chil the kite flew down to look.
and branches. At}irst Mowgli was afraid of falling, but
then he began to thi~k. He must tell Baloo and Bagheera 'We cannot follow the Bandar-log through the trees,'
where he was. High up in the blue sky he saw Chil the said Baloo, '·and we will never catch them. But they are
kite. The big bird saw that the monkeys were carrying afraid of Kaa, the big python. He can climb as easily
a man-cu.b. He flew clown to look, and was surprised to as the monkeys, and he eats the~. Perhaps he will help
hca r the bird-call of the kites: 'We are of one blood, you u~.' And so Baloo and Bagheera went to look for Kaa
and I!' the python.
'Who a re you?' called Chil. They found him, lying in the sun - ten metres of
. '
'Mowgli , the ma.n-ci_;b!' carne the reply. 'Watch where brown-and-yellow snake, beautiful and dangerous.
l hcy ta kt: me, and tell Balo o and Bagheera.' 'What news?' called Kaa when he saw them .
' l will,' ca ll cd Chil) and he flew high above the trees 'We are looking for food,'
. said Baloo . .He knew tha1 .
.111d W<1 tchcd
wi th h is far-seeing eyes. you must not hurry Kaa. He is to_o big ..
M 0 11 kcys ca n travcl fast when they w!lnt to, and by 'Let me come with you,' said Kaa hungrily. 'l havc 1101

tH>w B.doo a nd Baghccra were a long way behind. eaten for days.'

12 13
 The Jungle Book The Monkey-People

' Wc are following the Bandar-log,' said Baloo. 'Those 'I have seen Mowgli the man-cub with the Bandar lo,v,.
noisy, dirty thieves have stolen our man-cub. And we He knew the Master-Word. They have taken hirn to thv
lovc our man-cub very much, Kaa!' monkey-~city, th<: Lost City.'
'Thc Bandar-log,' said Bagheera cleverly, 'are very Baloo and Bagheera knew of the monkey-city. M L" n
much afraid of you, Kaa . But they say bad things about lived there once,
.
but they left hundreds of years ago.
~

you, and call yo u "old yellow fish'', 1 hear.' Nobody went there now, only the Bandar-log.
'Tss! Tss!' said Kaa. '1 will teach them not to call me 'We must leave at once,' said Bagheera. 'It is a long way. '
had names. \Yhere did they take your man-cub? They 'l will come as fast as 1 can,' said Baloo, 'but you a nd
will be tired of him quickly, and that is bad for him.' Kaa can go faster. 1 will follow you.'
~
' Up! Up! Look up, Baloo!'
Baloo looked up and saw Chil the kite, high in the sky. The Lost City was very old. There were many beautiful
'What is it?' called Baloo. buildings, but the walls were broken and full of ho les,
and there were tall trees in houses that were now open
to the sky. The Monkey-People called the place their city,
and ran around everywhere, in and out of the empty
houses, up and down the fruit trees in the old gardens.
Now Mowgli was in their city, and the Monkey-Peoplc
were very pleased with themselves. 'This boy can help us,'
they said. 'He can teach us how to make things, bec:HI S"
men are clever with their hands.' But monkeys makl'
many plans, and always forget them five minutes la t<:r.
When Mowgli arrived in the city, he was ti red a nd
hungry. 'Brir:g me food,' he said, and twenty o r 1hir1 y
monkeys ran to bring him fruit. But they sta rted fi ght 111 p
and forgot ~o take any fruit back to Mowgli.
'l ll'íll 11•11,:/1 t/11!1111wt to call me bad names,' said Kaa . Mowgli knew that he was in abad pl ace. ' Baloo w,1.,

14 15
 The ]ungle Book Kaa's hunting

monkeys pullecl him back. 'You are very happy hcrc with
us. We are gre'.lt. We are wonclerful. We all say so, and so
it is true,' they shoutecl.
'Don't they ever sleep?' thqught Mowgli. He lookcd
'('\'J \¡ f
up at the sky. 'There's a cloud coming over the moo n.
Perhaps 1 can run away;vhen it's clark. But 1 am tirecl.'
(~-.j ~ 1..'' <'~.((l,ú'fr/
!li)ih-:::V! Nt ;v::m@o"::Olllíi R:-5+ ;;;. § .!

Kaa's hunting

Bagheera ancl Kaa were also watching that cloucl. They

were now outsicle the city walls, but they knew they hacl
to be careful. There were only two of them, ancl there
were hunclrecls of monkeys.
'They are over there by that house, talking about the
boy,' saicl Bagheera. 'When the cloucl hicles the moon, 1
will attack them.'
'I will go to the higher grouncl at the west wall,' Kaa
saicl, 'ancl come clown the hill very fast. Goocl hunting!'
The Monkey-People called the place their city. The black panther ran quickly to the crowcls of
monkeys ancl startecl hitting, right ancl left, as harcl as
ri ght,' he thought. 'The Bandar-log have no Law ancl he coulcl. The monkeys screamecl angrily, but then one
th cir ways are not our ways. 1 must try to get away. Baloo of them shoutecl, 'There is only one here! Kill him! Kill!'
w i 11 s urely be angry with me, but that is better than life Ancl a crowcl of monkeys jumped on Bagheera, bitin g
w i l h t he Bandar-log .' ancl pulling. Another group pullecl Mowgli up a wall
But wht:n Mowgli went to the walls of the city, the ancl pushecl him over. He fell clown into a clark room

16 17
 The ]ungle Book Kaa's hunting

which had no doors or windows, and he could not get And where was Kaa all this time? lt was a hard dirnh
out. 'Stay there,' shouted the monkeys, 'until we have up to the west wall, and Kaa moved carefully owr tl w
killed your friend. And then we will play with you, if the stones. Now he carne clown the hill very quickly, hun ~ry

snakes leave you alive.' and wanting to kill. Kaa was ten metres lon g, ht:avy
Mowgli heard hissing sounds in the darkness around and strong. He went silently into the crowd of monkt:ys
him. 'We are of one blood, you and I,' he said, quickly around Baloo, and he did not need to hit twice.
giving the Snakes' Call. When they are very young, monkeys are told abou l
'Sssss,' the snakes replied. 'We will not bite you, but Kaa, the silent thief who can kill the strongest monkcy.
stand still, Little Brother, beca use your feet can hurt us.'
Mowgli stood very still and listened to the fight
around Bagheera. For the first time ever, the big panther
was fighting for his life. Then Mowgli remembered
something. There was a big tank of water near one of
the buildings.
'Go to the tank, Bagheera! Get to the water!'
Bagheera heard and he knew that Mowgli was safe.
Suddenly he felt stronger and he pulled himself slowly
to the tank, fighting against the crowds of monkeys.
Then Baloo carne rúnning in from the jungle, shouting,
'Bagheera, 1 am here!' At once the monkeys jumped on
him, and the bear started to hit them with his great
strong arms. Mowgli heard a splash when Bagheera
jumped into the tank. The monkeys were afraid of water
and could not follow him there. But they stood all round
the sides, ready to jump on him if he tried to get out and
hclp Baloo. Mowgli heard a splash when Bagheera jumped into the ta11/~.

18 19
 The Jungle Book Kaa's hunting

Ali monkeys are afraid of Kaa. Now they ran, with 'They will not move until 1 tell them to move,' said Ka a .
shouts of 'It's Kaa! Run! Run!' 'We must thank you, Kaa. We could not do it without
Then Kaa opened his mouth for the first time and you,' said Baloo.
spoke one long hissing word. The monkeys were 'I am happy to help. Where is the man-cub?' said Kaa.
suddenly silent and still, and nothing moved in the city. 'Here! In this room, but I cannot get out.'
Bagheera pulled himself out of the tank. 'Get the 'Take him away,' called the snakes around Mowgli.
man-cub out and let us go,' he said. 'I can't fight any 'He dances around too much and he will stand on us.'
more. And the monkeys will attack us again.' 'Stand back, man-cub,' said Kaa. '.I will break the wall.'
With two metres of his heavy body off the ground,
Kaa hit the wall very hard, five or six times. A hole
opened, and Mowgli jumped quickly through it. He ran
and put his arms around Baloo and Bagheera.
'Are you hurt?' asked Baloo.
'Not much,' said Mowgli, 'but the Bandar-log have
hurt you badly, my friends.'
'It is nothing,' said Baloo. 'But you must thank Kaa .
He has done much for you tonight.'
Mowgli turned and saw the head of the great python.
'So this is the man-cub,' said Kaa. 'He is like the
Bandar-log, but not the same. Be careful, man-cub, that
1 do not make a mistake when 1 am hunting monkeys.'
'We are of one blood, you and I,' Mowgli answered .
'You have given me my life tonight. When 1 kill, it will
be for you if you are hungry.'
'Well spoken,' said Baloo.
'It's Kaa! Run! Run!' 'You are brave, young man,' said Kaa, 'and you spca k

20 21
 '/'he jungle Book Kaa's hunting

wdl. Now go with your friends. The moon is gomg

down . You must not see what will happen here next.'
Kaa went softly out in front of the lines of sitting
monkeys and began to dance. His head moved from
ri ght to left, and his long body turned this way and that
way, making circles that changed every second. Slowly,
never hurrying, Kaa danced in front of the monkeys.
Baloo and Bagheera stood and could not move.
Mowgli watched, and did not understand.
'Bandar-log,' said the deep voice of Kaa at last. 'Can
you move?'
'Without a word from you, Kaa, we cannot move.'
'Come nearer to me,' said Kaa.
The lines of monkeys came nearer, and Baloo and
Bagheera walked forward, too.
'Nearer,' hissed Kaa, and they all moved forward
again. Mowgli put his hands on Baloo and Bagheera to
get them away, and the two animals woke up.
'Keep your hand on me, Mowgli,' whispered Bagheera,
'or I will go back to Kaa, and walk into his mouth.' 'Nearer,' hissed Kaa.
' It's only old Kaa dancing,' said Mowgli. 'Let us go.'
And the three of them went away into the jungle. us and pulled us and hit us. And all this, man-cub, was
'A python's dance is dangerous to watch,' said Baloo, because you played with the Bandar-log.'
'even for us. Kaa will have good hunting tonight.' 'It is true,' said Mowgli sadly. 'I am a bad man-cu b. '
'And now, Mowgli,' said Bagheera angrily. 'Baloo and 'The Law of the Jungle says we must puni sh you ,'
I have fought hard for you. The monkeys have bitten said Bagheera. Baloo was happy that Mowgli was sa fl:

22 23
 The Jungle Book The fight at the rock

and with them again, but he could not speak against the looked away. Mowgli thought this was funny; he did not
Law. ~hat he was different from the wolvcs.
'lt is right to punish me,' said Mowgli. '1 did wrong.' All the Jungle-People were his friends - but not Shcrc
Bagheera hit him, very softly for a panther, but very Khan, of course. Mother Wolf told him_ that thc tigc r
heavily for a little boy. Mowgli did not cry. wanted to kill him. 'One day you must kill Shere Kha n.
'Now,' said Bagheera, 'jump on my back, Little If you don't kili him, he will kill you.' But M owgli
Brother, and we will go home.' forgot. He was only a boy, not a wolf.
Shere Khan still carne often to that part of the junglc.
Akela was older now and not so strong, and Shere Kh an
made friends with sorne of the younger wolves. Akela
could not stop them, and Shere Khan began to makc
trouble for Mowgli. 'I hear you can't look into the man -
cub's eyes,' he said, laughing, to the young wolves. And
the young wolves began to get angry.
Bagheéra, who had eyes and ears everywhere, kn cw
']ump on my back, Little Brother. ' something of this and told Mowgli. Mowgli laughed ,
but Bagheera went on, 'Open your eyes, Little Broth cr.
One of the good things about Jungle Law is that, after Remember that Akela is old and he will not always
you are punished, the matter is finished. be the leader of the Pack. Shere Khan has taught t hc
younger wolves that a man-cub has no place with th cm.
i.nv¡;'.. tH1SJt 1117/n @~e.'3"" N M .I And soon you will be a man, nota man-cub. '
The flght at the rock 'But the wolves are my brothers. Why will they wa 111
to send me away ?'
Mowgli always went to the meetings of the Wolf-Pack, 'Look at me,' said Bagheera, and Mowgli lookcd ,11
and there he learnt something new one day. If he looked him hard between the eyes. The big black cat turn <.·d his
hard at any wolf, the wolf could not meet his eyes and

24
- -- ~
head away quickly. 'That is why,' he said. ' N ot cvc 11 I

25
<.: .1 11
 The Jungle Book The 'fight at the rock

look in your eyes. That is why they want to kill you. You
are clever. You are a man.'
'I <lid not know these things,' said Mowgli quietly.
'Now listen. The <lay will soon come when Akela
cannot kill his <leer in the hunt. Then at the next meeting
of the Pack the younger wolves will be against Akela
and against you. When that time comes, go to the men's
houses in the village and take sorne of their Red Flower.
That will be a stronger friend to you than 1 or Baloo.'
The Red Flower was fire. All animals are afraid of
it and do not call it by its name. 'I will get sorne,' said
Mowgli . '1 will go and get it now, and keep it ready,' and
he ran through the jungle to the village. Mowgli jumped up and took the pot from him.
On his way he heard the sounds of the Wolf-Pack
hunting a big <leer. 'Show us that you are strong, Akela,' in his special place, on top of the rock, but bes id c it.
carne the voices of the young wolves. 'Kill it!' That meant that another wolf could try to take Akcb 's
Mowgli stopped and listened, and he could hear that place. Shere Khan was there, too, with all the yo un gc r
Akela <lid not kill the <leer. 'So the time has come already,' wolves around him . Mowgli sat clown, with the fire-po l
he thought, and hurried to the village. He watched and between his legs. Bagheera lay beside him.
waited, and soon he saw a child who was carrying a Shere Khan began to speak and Mowgli jumpcd up.
fire-pot. Mowgli jumped up, took the pot from him, and 'Free People, is Shere Khan your leader? D oes a tiµ,n
quickly ran away, back to the jungle. All that <lay he kept belong in the Wolf-Pack?'
his fire alive with leaves and pieces of wood. 'There is no wolf on the rock,' began Shere Kh an, h111
In the evening Tabaqui carne and told him that the the other wolves said, 'Let Akela speak.'
wolves wanted him at the meeting. Mowgli laughed, Akela looked up, old and tired. 'Free Pco plc , 1 h.1w
and went. When he arrived, he saw that Akela was not been your leader for many years. In all th at tim e 11 0 wn ll

26 27
 The Jungle Book The fight at the rock

has died in the hunt. But this time 1 did not kili my deer. food. He has slept with us. He has done nothing wro ng.
The Law of the Jungle says that you can kili me now, but Let him go to his own place.'
the Law also says that you must come one by one. ' 'He is a man,' cried Shere Khan and most of tlw
No one spoke. Akela was old, but nobody wanted to wolves.
fight Akela alone. Mowgli stood up, the fire -pot in his hands. He wa s
Then Shere Khan spoke. 'Bah! This old wolf is not very angry, and very sad.
important. He will die soon. lt is the man-cub who has 'You have said man y times that 1 am a man. 1 was yo u r
lived too long. Give him to me.' brother, but 1 will not call you my brothers again. I will
'A man! A man!' cried most of the younger wolves decide on my life or my death, not you. 1 ama m an , and
angrily. 'A man does not belong in the Wolf-Pack.' to show you, 1 have brought the Red Flower with me.'
'Mowgli is our brother,' said Akela. 'He has eaten our He dropped the fire-pot on the ground and sorne of
the fire fell out. The wolves were very afraid and moved
back. Mowgli held a long piece of wood in the fire and
the end began to bum brightly.
'You are the leader now,' said Bagheera softly. 'H elp
Akela. He was always your friend.'
'Good,' said Mowgli. He looked at the fri ghtcncd
wolves. 'I go from you to my people - the world of mcn.
But first .. .' and Mowgli went to Shere Khan . 'Thi s
killer of cows wanted to kill me. This is what men do to
killers of cows,' and he hit Shere Khan on the hea d wi th
the burning stick. The tiger was very frightened.
'Go now,' said Mowgli to Shere Khan. 'The next ti111 l'
1 come to this rock, it will be with your dead hody. 1
tell you this also, my brothers, you will not kili Akt·l.1
'This time l did not kill my deer,' said Akela. because Ido not want that. Akela is free to li vc.'

28 29
 The Jungle Book Tiger-Tiger

for the first time in his life, tears ran clown his face.
'What is it? What is it? Am 1 clying, Bagheera?'
'No, Little Brother. You are a man, ancl these are
men's tears. But you must go - the jungle is closecl to
you now.'
'Yes,' saicl Mowgli. '1 will go to men. But first 1 must
say gooclbye to my mother.' Ancl he went to the cave ancl
criecl on Mother Wolf 's coat.
'You will not forget me?' Mowgli saicl to his wolf- family.
'Never,' saicl his wolf-brothers. 'Come to the foot of
the hill when you are a man, ancl we will talk with you. '
'Come soon, little frog,' saicl Father Wolf, 'because
your Mother ancl 1 are getting olcl.'
'I will surely come,' saicl Mowgli, 'ancl 1 will bring
the coat of Shere Khan ancl put it on the Meeting Rock.'
Ancl in the morning Mowgli went clown the hill alone
to meet those strange things that are callecl men.

ltí"\H.., it! Níf 117j'// ®o.o:::=.:ííi :tí~ ; .• I

Mowgli hit Shere Khan on the head with the burning stick. Tiger-Tiger

Ancl Mowgli jumpecl at the young wolves with his Mowgli knew that he hacl enemies now ancl he went far
burning stick ancl they all ran away. In the encl there away. He rah until he carne to a village in a place w i t h
were only Akela, Bagheera, ancl a few olcler wolves left. many rocks ancl narrow valleys. Everywhere Mow¡.i,li
Then something began to hurt Mowgli insicle him ancl, coulcl see cows ancl buffaloes. Sorne little boys Wl' l'l'

30 31
 The Jungle Book Tiger-Tiger

looking after the cows, but when they saw Mowgli, they ,..
shouted and ran away. Mowgli walked on until he carne t<
to the village. :.....

He sat clown by the gate. When a man carne out of

the village, Mowgli opened his mouth to show that he
wanted food. The man ran back into the village and
carne back with a hundred other people. They all looked
at Mowgli and saw the bite-marks on his arms and legs.
'Look,' said a man, 'those are the bite-marks of wolves.
He is a wolf-child who has run away from the jungle.'
'He is a good-looking boy,' said one of the women.
'Messua, he looks like your little boy that was taken by
the tiger.'
'Let me look,' said Messua. 'Yes, he is thin, but he
looks like my son.'
'Take him to your hous e, Messua,' the villagers said. The boys shouted and ran away.
'The jungle took your boy, and the jungle has given you
this one back.' But that night he did not want to sleep insid c th t.·
The woman called Messua took Mowgli to her house house. So he climbed out of the window, and went to

and gave him milk and bread. This was Mowgli's first sleep in a field near the village. Befare he went to slc.:ep,
time in a house, and he did not like it. lt felt like a prison. a soft grey nose touched his face. lt was Grey Bro th cr,
'But 1 ama man now,' he thought, 'and 1 must do what the eldest of Mother Wolf 's cubs.
men do. 1 must also learn to speak like men.' He knew 'Wake, Little Brother,' he said. 'I bring news. Shl'l't'
all the many languages of the jungle, and so it was easy Khan has gone away. You burnt his coat with th l' Rt• d
for him to learn the sounds of men. That first evening Flower. But he says that, when he comes back , he w1ll
he learnt many words from Messua. kill you.'

32 33
 The Jungle Book Tiger-Tiger

' I remember also what I said about Shere Khan,' said how to work in the fields. In the evenings he sa t w ith tl H:
Mowgli. 'But it is good to have news. Will you always villagers under a great tree, while the men told storit:S
bring me news, Grey Brother ?' about the jungle and the animals. Once, when Buld rn,
'Yes, Little Brother. But you will not forget that you the village hunter, told a story about a tiger, Mow¡.?,li
are a wolf? You will not forget us when you are with had to hide his face because he was laughing. At thc cnd
men?' he said, 'Buldeo's stories are stupid. He knows no thin ¡.?,
'Never,' replied Mowgli. 'I will always remember that about the jungle.'
1 love you all.' The villagers did not like this, and after that they sc nt
~
Mowgli out every day with the other boys, to look aftcr
For three months Mowgli learnt how to be like a man. the herds of cows and buffaloes while they ate. M owgli
He had to wear clothes, learn how to use money, and enjoyed this work, and usually went on alone, with a bi p,
group of cows and buffaloes.
One day he saw Grey Brother under a tree near t hc
jungle. 'Shere Khan has come back, but he is hidin g fo r a
while. Then he is coming to kill you,' said Grey Broth cr.
'Very good,' said Mowgli. 'Tell me when he co mcs.
Meet me at the river, by the big dhak-tree with gold c.: 11
flowers. 1 will watch for you there every day.'
Day after day Mowgli went out with the herds, but
there was nobody at the dhak-tree. Then at last the e.l ay
carne when Grey Brother was waiting for him._,
'Shere Khan has waited for a month, and is hop in g
that you have now forgotten about him,' said thc wo lr.
'He's going to wait for you at the village gatc th1 ~
evening. But now he is hiding in the big dry ra vin c of th r
In the evenings Mowgli sat with the villagers under a great tree. Waingunga. 1 met Tabaqui this morning- ' hcn: c; rvy

34 35
 The Jungle Book Tiger-Tiger

Brother showed his teeth a little '-and before 1 broke

his back, he told me all about Shere Khan's plan.'
'Has Shere Khan eaten today, or does he hunt empty?'
The answer was life or death for Mowgli.
'He killed and ate this morning. And he has drunk,
too.'
'How stupid he is!' said Mowgli. 'Does he think that
1 shall wait until he has slept?' He stood and thought
for a while. 'The ravine of Waingunga! 1 can take the
buffaloes round to the top end and chase Shere Khan 'Akela! Akela! I knew you would not forget me. '
clown the ravine. After a meal, he cannot fight or climb
easily. But 1 need a big group of cows at the bottom end them there until we come clown. Akela, you and 1 will
of the ravine, to stop him escaping. Then we will catch take the buffaloes round to the top.'
him between the buffaloes and the cows. Can you help They drove the buffaloes round in a big circle uphill. lt
me, Grey Brother?' took a long time because they did not want Shere Khan
'Not 1 alone,' said Grey Brother, ' but 1 have someone to hear them. At last Mowgli was ready. He stopped and
who will help me.' And the big grey head of Akela carne shouted clown the ravine.
out from the trees. 'Shere Khan! lt is 1, Mowgli . lt is time for our meeting!'
'Akela! Akela!' said Mowgli. '1 knew you would not Mowgli rode on the back of Rama, the biggest of
forget me.' The two wolves ran here and there among the buffaloes, and Akela chased the herd from behin d .
the herd, and soon the cows and buffaloes were in The buffaloes began to run clown the ravine, faster a nd
two groups. Already, they were getting excited and faster, and the ground shook under their heavy fe et.
dangerous. The other herd-boys, who were watching a Shere Khan heard the noise and woke up. H e kn e,;w
long way away, ran back to the village with the news. what it was, and he began to run clown the ravin c. No
'Keep the cows together, Grey Brother,' called Mowgli. tiger can hope to stand against a herd of bu ffo lol'!'.
'Drive them into the bottom end of the ravine and keep when they are moving fast. He looked for a way to

36 37
 Th e }ungle Book Tiger-Tiger

escape, but the ravine was narrow, with high rocky

walls. He had to go on, heavy with his dinn c r a nd
his drink. Then he saw the cows at the bottom of th t:
ravine, and turned. But it was too late. He fell und cr
the feet of the buffaloes, and they ran over him likc a
river running down a mountain.
The buffaloes did not stop until they crashed into
the herd of cows. Mowgli jumped off Rama's back a nd
shouted to Akela and Grey Brother.
'lt is done! Shere Khan is dead! He died the death o f
a dog, not a fighting tiger.'
Mowgli took his knife and started to cut the coat
from Shere Khan's body. lt was hard work. After an ho ur
Mowgli was still working when suddenly he felt a hand
on his back. lt was Buldeo, the village hunter.
'Go and look after your buffaloes,' he cried angril y.
'I will take this tiger's coat. 1 can sell it for a hundrcd
rupees, and you can have one rupee for yourself.'
'No,' said Mowgli. 'I need this coa t.'
'Listen, boy!' shouted Buldeo. 'l am the village huntc r,
and I will take the coat, and keep ali the money.'
Then Mowgli spoke to Akela in the wolf-lan guagt:,
and suddenly Buldeo was lying on his back o n 1lw
ground with a big grey wolf standing over him.
'Buldeo,' said Mowgli, 'for a long time thi s ti gc r h:1s
wanted to kill me. But 1 have killed him. '
The buffaloes ran down the ravine, (aster and (aster.
38 39
 The Jungle Book Tiger-Tiger

Buldeo was very afraid. Who was this boy, who could Mother Wolf carne out of the cave, very happy to see
talk to wolves and kill tigers? 'Great King,' he said to Mowgli again, and to know that Shere Khan was dead.
Mowgli, 'I am an old man. I thought you were just a From the jungle carne the deep voice of Bagheera.
herd-boy. Let mego now, and I will go away.' 'Little Brother, we are pleased to see you.'
'Go, and peace go with you,' replied Mowgli, and he Then Mowgli took the coat of Shere Khan and put
went on with his work. it on the great rock at the wolves' meeting place. Akela
It was nearly dark when at last he and the wolves lay on it and called, 'Look well, O Wolves!' And the
pulled the great coat away from the tiger's body. Wolf-Pack carne and looked, and saw that Shere Khan
'N ow we must hide this and take the cows and the was dead.
buffaloes back to the village,' said Mowgli. 'Now,' said Mowgli, 'I do not belong to the Wolf-
But when Mowgli carne near the village, there was a Pack, or to the Man-Pack. 1 will hunt alone in the
crowd of people waiting for him at the gate. 'Go away, jungle.'
wolf-child!' they shouted. 'Go away, or we will kill you!' 'And we will hunt with you,' said Grey Brother and
Mowgli did not understand. Shere Khan - the tiger the rest of Mother Wolf 's cubs.
who killed cows and stole children - was dead, but And Mowgli went away into the jungle and lived and
people were angry with him. He turned away and looked hunted with his brothers, the wolves.
up at the stars in the sky. 'No more sleeping in houses
forme, Akela. Let us get Shere Khan's coat and go away.'
The moon climbed high in the sky, and the frightened
villagers watched while Mowgli began to run across the
fields, with the two grey wolves running at his side.
~

The moon was going clown when Mowgli and the two
wolves carne to Mother Wolf's cave. 'The men do not
want me, Mother,' called Mowgli. 'I have come home,
and I have brought the coat of Shere Khan.'

40
 GLOSSARY
The Jungle Book
attack (v) to try to hurt or kill someone
bite to cut something with your teeth ACTIVITIES
chase to run after someone or something
frightened afraid
herd a large group of cows (or other animals) that live and eat
together
hiss a long 'ssss' sound, which a snake makes
hunt (v) to ch ase and kili animals for food
jungle a thick forest in hot, wet countries
king the most important man in a country
law something that tells you what you must and must not do
leader the person or animal that tells others what to do
look after to keep someone or something well, and away from
danger
master-word a special or important word, that everybody
knows
peace a time when there is no fighting or trouble
punish to hurt someone beca use he or she did something wrong
ravine a long narrow place with high sides of rock
roar (n) a long deep sound, made by animals like tigers
rupee money used in India
sad not happy
safe not in danger
whisper (v) to speak in a very low, soft voice

42
 ACTIVITIES: Befare Reading

ACTIVITIES
3 Read the story introduction on the first page of th e boo l< ,
and the back cover. How much do you know now abo ut th c
Befare Reading story?

Tick one of the boxes for each sentence. YES NO

1 What do you know about jungles? Choose the best answers 1 The jungle is in Southern India. [1] [J
to these questions. 2 Mowgli is a wolf-cub. D M
3 Mother Wolf wants to keep the baby. rQ1 D
1 What is the weather like in a jungle?
a) It rains a lot. d) It is very cold.
4 The baby is afraid of Mother Wolf. D lQJ
5 Mowgli dies while he is still a baby. D [SJ
b) It never rains. e) It is very hot.
c) It snows in winter. a It is warm, but not hot. 6 A bear and a panther are his teachers. ~ o
7 Shere Khan the tiger is Mowgli's friend. D ~
2 Which of these countries have jungles?
8 Mowgli grows up with his wolf family. lill D
a) Italy d) Spain
4 What will happen in this story? Can you guess? Tick one of
~ Brazil f) India the boxes for each sentence.
c) Canada f) Japan YES NO

1 When Mowgli grows up, sorne of the

2 Which of these things do you find in jungles? Underline the
wolves want to kill him. D ~
most usual things.
2 Mowgli leaves the jungle and goes to live
beaches elephants nvers in a village. D [Sli'
birds ~ sheep 3 He goes to school and learns to read and
-==-
buses fruir shops write. D ~
chickens gardens snakes 4 Shere Khan the tiger goes away and forgets
cmemas hills tigers about Mowgli. D [Ql
trees
cows monkeys ~
5 Mowgli kills Shere Khan. lV1 LJ
6 Shere Khan kills Mowgli. D ~

44 45
 ACTIV/TlES: While Reading

l.J...)\.ty llf't
ACTIVITIES 2 ... diá Kaa the python go?
3~~-~id Mowgli hear in the dark room?
While Reading 4~\1~did Mowgli tell Bagheera to get into the water?
5~ ~made a hole in the wall?
Read Chapter 1. Who said these words in the chapter? 6~\i~id Kaa do in front of the monkeys?
1 'The man's cub belongs to us.' \-'(}.~\ \No\\ 7 Y!~Y was Bagheera angry with Mowgli?
2 'I will have this man-cub one day, you thieves!' S\~,\:: br
Read Chapter 4, and then complete these sentences with thc
3 'I will call him Mowgli, the frog.' f'<'. o-\h.e'( \(\/ c\~- best word.
4 'Let him run with the Pack. I myself will teach him .' 't~oo
5 'It is bad to kill a man-cub.' f-'Q~E?'r VVo\f 1 The animals could not look into Mowgli's e'tf!,~
6 'Take him away, and tea ch him well.' Ü\~e\()-- 2 One day Akela could not kili his "'<C2.'( in the hunt.
3 The wolves said that a man did not ~ in the Wolf-
Read Chapter 2. Here are sorne untrue sentences about it. Pack.
Change them into true sentences. 4 Mowgli hit Shere Khan with a~\ ic.'§. stick.
1 Mowgli always loved his lessons with Baloq. f-0.\<;e 5 Mowgli knew he had to go to the world of "("'(\e\) .
2 The Monkey-People were quiet and clean. ,'(-o_\ )e Before you read Chirter 5, can you guess what will happen?
3 The monkeys carried Mowgli away to a cave. ~~ve. Tick one of the boxes for each sentence. YES NO
4 Baloo and Bagheera asked Chil the kite for help.t '<ve
5 Bagheera called Kaa the python an 'old yellow fish'S o...\t..e_
1 Mowgli forgets all about his wolf-family. D 00
2 He learns the language of men . [;zJ D
6 Mowgli wanted to stay with the Monkey-People. Y.0-...\ ~
3 He makes friends with other boys. [lÍ D
Read Chapter 3. Choose the best question-word for these 4 He stays in the village for the rest of his life. D DIJ
questions, and then answer them. 5 Shere Khan makes a plan to kill Mowgli. ~ D
6 The people of the village help Mowgli to kill
Who I What / Where / Why
i"1.~~-.attacked the monkeys first?
Shere Khan. D rY1

46 47
 ACTlVITIES: After Reading

ACTIVITIES 3 How <lid Mowgli kill Shere Khan the tiger? Put thcsc parh
of sentences in the right order to make a paragraph of fo111
After Reading sentences.

4, 1 They put the cows and the buffaloes into two gro ups, 1 ¡-. I
1 Match the names with the animals in this story.
1 2 he made a p1ªQ ~
Tabaqui monkeys
3 3 while M~_:vgli_ and Akela toc:ik the buffaloes to_th e top ol
Shere Khan the leader of the Wolf-Pack
the ravine. -i,. ,_ 1
..._____ -·-- ·-
a python e¿.,_ 4 One day Grey Brother carne to tell Mowgli that 1. •
kite

' 5 and then Gre¿ Br9thet drove the cows into the botto111
1

a jackal
end of the_ra':'.:in_ey '?i .(_
~ wolf
t3 6 Shere Khan was hiding in the ravine of the Waingun~._, t. •¡
tiger
7 and asked Grey Brother and Akela to help him.
Kaa :a bear
Grey Brot-her a panther
.s 8 He kept the cows ther~..1 ·
1 9 When Mowgli heard this,
2 Who do these sentences describe? Fill in the names.
4 Now finish the story of the death of Shere Khan. Use t hc
1 ~ teaches the Law of the Jungle to the wolf-cubs. words below to complete the passage.
2 · \<..o.a. is brown and yellow, and ten metres long. His
because / so / so / when / and / and / but
dance is dangerous to watch.
3
bCU..iliY - 1'1-f
are noisy and dirty. They make many plans and ~k\'\ the buffaloes began to run down the ravine, Shcre
forget them five minutes later. Khan heard the noise ~ woke up. He too began to run
4\3.0l@lve\6\has green eyes and is as black as the night. He is hl_ he could not run fast be-;:au'éhe was heavy w ith hi 11
clever, strong, and dangerous. dinner and his drink. The ravine was high and narrow
sc:;\.e!e \<.1-~ills cows and steals children. He is afraid of fire. ~ he could not climb out of it, <;o he cou ld 11 01 gel

6 \o.\¡~i eats anything, and makes a lot of trouble. past the cows at the bottom. There was no way for him 10

escape, 5d he died under the feet of the buffa loes.

48
49
 ACTIVITIES: After Reading A CTIVITI ES: After Reading

5 Here is a new illustration for the story. Find the best place in 6 In each of these groups of words from the story, onc.: word
the story to put the picture, and answer these questions. <loes not belong. Which word is it, and can yo u c.:x pl.1 i11
why?
The picture goes on page _ __
1 Who are the characters in the picture? 1 run, climb, swim, jump, ili,W.k
2 What did the man want to do? 2 cow, deer, .k.i.te, buffalo, jackal
3 Why is he frightened? 3 sun, cloud, moon, ~ star
4 bite, hiss, whisper, roar, shout
Now write a caption for the illustration. 5 hill, ravine, mountain, valley, ~
6 brother, ~ father, sister, mother
7 angry, frightened, tired, tall.J hungry

7 Many people have written stories about animals who ca n

talk. Look at these ideas. Do you agree (A) or disagree (D)
with them?

1 Animals can't talk. i\

2 Perhaps animals can talk, but humans don 't und crstn ntl
their language. A
3 Perhaps wolves can talk to wolves and monkeys to
monkeys, but wolves can't talk to monkeys. 'A
4 Animals can't speak like humans, but they use a
language of things like sounds and smells. ~
5 Sorne animals are cleverer than humans. A
8 Which animal <lid you like best in The ]ungle Book? And
which animal do you like best in real life? Explain why.
Caption: t '"'e ""'¡\d '?toT€CÍS ,ts Owh.: {'f'\,,..,, \,
9
CJ..."d ~0 'fvJ\ff <~ • r, "'"" CJ"\ J~ , \ ..k 1 1· '(,, ·¡\.
" o"'"-~ f-<:,n- lk.::. 1h," r v°'e <
50 51