Маугли
Kaa’s Hunting
OneofthemonkeysmadeaspeechandtoldhiscompanionsthatMowgli’scapturemarkedanewthinginthehistoryoftheBandar-log,forMowgliwasgoingtoshowthemhowtoweavesticksandcanestogetherasaprotectionagainstrainandcold. Mowglipickedupsomecreepersandbegantoworktheminandout,andthemonkeystriedtoimitate;butinaveryfewminutestheylostinterestandbegantopulltheirfriends’tailsorjumpupanddownonallfours,coughing.
"Iwishtoeat,"saidMowgli. "Iamastrangerinthispartofthejungle. Bringmefood,orgivemeleavetohunthere."
Twentyorthirtymonkeysboundedawaytobringhimnutsandwildpawpaws. Buttheyfelltofightingontheroad,anditwastoomuchtroubletogobackwithwhatwasleftofthefruit. Mowgliwassoreandangryaswellashungry,andheroamedthroughtheemptycitygivingtheStrangers’HuntingCallfromtimetotime,butnooneansweredhim,andMowglifeltthathehadreachedaverybadplaceindeed. "AllthatBaloohassaidabouttheBandar-logistrue,"hethoughttohimself. "TheyhavenoLaw,noHuntingCall,andnoleaders—nothingbutfoolishwordsandlittlepickingthievishhands. SoifIamstarvedorkilledhere,itwillbeallmyownfault. ButImusttrytoreturntomyownjungle. Baloowillsurelybeatme,butthatisbetterthanchasingsillyroseleaveswiththeBandar-log."
Nosoonerhadhewalkedtothecitywallthanthemonkeyspulledhimback,tellinghimthathedidnotknowhowhappyhewas,andpinchinghimtomakehimgrateful.
