Маугли
Kaa’s Hunting
"Manywillwalkbythatroadbeforethemoonrisesagain,"saidBaloo. "Hewillhavegoodhunting—afterhisownfashion."
"Butwhatwasthemeaningofitall?"saidMowgli,whodidnotknowanythingofapython’spowersoffascination. "Isawnomorethanabigsnakemakingfoolishcirclestillthedarkcame. Andhisnosewasallsore. Ho!Ho!"
"Mowgli,"saidBagheeraangrily,"hisnosewassoreonthyaccount,asmyearsandsidesandpaws,andBaloo’sneckandshouldersarebittenonthyaccount. NeitherBaloonorBagheerawillbeabletohuntwithpleasureformanydays."
"Itisnothing,"saidBaloo;"wehavetheman-cubagain."
"True,buthehascostusheavilyintimewhichmighthavebeenspentingoodhunting,inwounds,inhair—Iamhalfpluckedalongmyback—andlastofall,inhonor. For,remember,Mowgli,I,whoamtheBlackPanther,wasforcedtocalluponKaaforprotection,andBalooandIwerebothmadestupidaslittlebirdsbytheHungerDance. Allthis,man-cub,cameofthyplayingwiththeBandar-log."
"True,itistrue,"saidMowglisorrowfully. "Iamanevilman-cub,andmystomachissadinme."
"Mf!WhatsaystheLawoftheJungle,Baloo?"
BaloodidnotwishtobringMowgliintoanymoretrouble,buthecouldnottamperwiththeLaw,sohemumbled: "Sorrowneverstayspunishment. Butremember,Bagheera,heisverylittle."
"Iwillremember. Buthehasdonemischief,andblowsmustbedealtnow. Mowgli,hastthouanythingtosay?"