Маугли

           IfRikki-tikkihadonlyknown,hewasdoingamuchmoredangerousthingthanfightingNag,forKaraitissosmall,andcanturnsoquickly,thatunlessRikkibithimclosetothebackofthehead,hewouldgetthereturnstrokeinhiseyeorhislip.ButRikkididnotknow.Hiseyeswereallred,andherockedbackandforth,lookingforagoodplacetohold.Karaitstruckout.Rikkijumpedsidewaysandtriedtorunin,butthewickedlittledustygrayheadlashedwithinafractionofhisshoulder,andhehadtojumpoverthebody,andtheheadfollowedhisheelsclose.

           Teddyshoutedtothehouse:"Oh,lookhere!Ourmongooseiskillingasnake."AndRikki-tikkiheardascreamfromTeddy’smother.Hisfatherranoutwithastick,butbythetimehecameup,Karaithadlungedoutoncetoofar,andRikki-tikkihadsprung,jumpedonthesnake’sback,droppedhisheadfarbetweenhisforelegs,bittenashighupthebackashecouldgethold,androlledaway.ThatbiteparalyzedKarait,andRikki-tikkiwasjustgoingtoeathimupfromthetail,afterthecustomofhisfamilyatdinner,whenherememberedthatafullmealmakesaslowmongoose,andifhewantedallhisstrengthandquicknessready,hemustkeephimselfthin.

           Hewentawayforadustbathunderthecastor-oilbushes,whileTeddy’sfatherbeatthedeadKarait."Whatistheuseofthat?"thoughtRikki-tikki.