Маугли
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Withoutwaitingforbreakfast,Rikki-tikkirantothethornbushwhereDarzeewassingingasongoftriumphatthetopofhisvoice.ThenewsofNag’sdeathwasalloverthegarden,forthesweeperhadthrownthebodyontherubbish-heap.
"Oh,youstupidtuftoffeathers!"saidRikki-tikkiangrily."Isthisthetimetosing?"
"Nagisdead—isdead—isdead!"sangDarzee."ThevaliantRikki-tikkicaughthimbytheheadandheldfast.Thebigmanbroughtthebang-stick,andNagfellintwopieces!Hewillnevereatmybabiesagain."
"Allthat’strueenough.Butwhere’sNagaina?"saidRikki-tikki,lookingcarefullyroundhim.
"NagainacametothebathroomsluiceandcalledforNag,"Darzeewenton,"andNagcameoutontheendofastick—thesweeperpickedhimupontheendofastickandthrewhimupontherubbishheap.Letussingaboutthegreat,thered-eyedRikki-tikki!"AndDarzeefilledhisthroatandsang.
"IfIcouldgetuptoyournest,I’drollyourbabiesout!"saidRikki-tikki."Youdon’tknowwhentodotherightthingattherighttime.You’resafeenoughinyournestthere,butit’swarformedownhere.Stopsingingaminute,Darzee."
"Forthegreat,thebeautifulRikki-tikki’ssakeIwillstop,"saidDarzee."Whatisit,OKilleroftheterribleNag?"
"WhereisNagaina,forthethirdtime?"
"Ontherubbishheapbythestables,mourningforNag.GreatisRikki-tikkiwiththewhiteteeth."