Маугли

           Then,ifyouhadbeenwatching,youwouldhaveseenthemostwonderfulthingintheworld—thewolfcheckedinmid-spring. Hemadehisboundbeforehesawwhatitwashewasjumpingat,andthenhetriedtostophimself. Theresultwasthatheshotupstraightintotheairforfourorfivefeet,landingalmostwhereheleftground. 

           "Man!"hesnapped."Aman’scub.Look!" 

           Directlyinfrontofhim,holdingonbyalowbranch,stoodanakedbrownbabywhocouldjustwalk—assoftandasdimpledalittleatomasevercametoawolf’scaveatnight. HelookedupintoFatherWolf’sface,andlaughed. 

           "Isthataman’scub?"saidMotherWolf."Ihaveneverseenone.Bringithere." 

           AWolfaccustomedtomovinghisowncubscan,ifnecessary,mouthaneggwithoutbreakingit,andthoughFatherWolf’sjawsclosedrightonthechild’sbacknotatoothevenscratchedtheskinashelaiditdownamongthecubs. 

           "Howlittle!Hownaked,and—howbold!"saidMotherWolfsoftly. Thebabywaspushinghiswaybetweenthecubstogetclosetothewarmhide. "Ahai!Heistakinghismealwiththeothers. Andsothisisaman’scub. Now,wasthereeverawolfthatcouldboastofaman’scubamongherchildren?" 

           "Ihaveheardnowandagainofsuchathing,butneverinourPackorinmytime,"saidFatherWolf. "Heisaltogetherwithouthair,andIcouldkillhimwithatouchofmyfoot. Butsee,helooksupandisnotafraid."