Маугли
Mowgli’s Brothers
HeshalllivetorunwiththePackandtohuntwiththePack; andintheend,lookyou,hunteroflittlenakedcubs—frog-eater—fish-killer—heshallhuntthee! Nowgethence,orbytheSambhurthatIkilled(Ieatnostarvedcattle),backthougoesttothymother,burnedbeastofthejungle,lamerthaneverthoucamestintotheworld!Go!"
FatherWolflookedonamazed. HehadalmostforgottenthedayswhenhewonMotherWolfinfairfightfromfiveotherwolves,whensheraninthePackandwasnotcalledTheDemonforcompliment’ssake. ShereKhanmighthavefacedFatherWolf,buthecouldnotstandupagainstMotherWolf,forheknewthatwherehewasshehadalltheadvantageoftheground,andwouldfighttothedeath. Sohebackedoutofthecavemouthgrowling,andwhenhewasclearheshouted:
"Eachdogbarksinhisownyard! WewillseewhatthePackwillsaytothisfosteringofman-cubs. Thecubismine,andtomyteethhewillcomeintheend,Obush-tailedthieves!"
MotherWolfthrewherselfdownpantingamongthecubs,andFatherWolfsaidtohergravely:
"ShereKhanspeaksthismuchtruth. ThecubmustbeshowntothePack. Wiltthoustillkeephim,Mother?"
"Keephim!"shegasped. "Hecamenaked,bynight,aloneandveryhungry;yethewasnotafraid! Look,hehaspushedoneofmybabestoonesidealready. AndthatlamebutcherwouldhavekilledhimandwouldhaverunofftotheWaingungawhilethevillagersherehuntedthroughallourlairsinrevenge! Keephim? AssuredlyIwillkeephim. Liestill,littlefrog.