Маугли

           DayafterdayMowgliwouldleadthebuffaloesouttotheirwallows,anddayafterdayhewouldseeGrayBrother’sbackamileandahalfawayacrosstheplain(soheknewthatShereKhanhadnotcomeback),anddayafterdayhewouldlieonthegrasslisteningtothenoisesroundhim,anddreamingofolddaysinthejungle.IfShereKhanhadmadeafalsestepwithhislamepawupinthejunglesbytheWaingunga,Mowgliwouldhaveheardhiminthoselong,stillmornings. 

           AtlastadaycamewhenhedidnotseeGrayBrotheratthesignalplace,andhelaughedandheadedthebuffaloesfortheravinebythedhktree,whichwasallcoveredwithgolden-redflowers.TheresatGrayBrother,everybristleonhisbacklifted. 

           "Hehashiddenforamonthtothrowtheeoffthyguard.HecrossedtherangeslastnightwithTabaqui,hot-footonthytrail,"saidtheWolf,panting. 

           Mowglifrowned."IamnotafraidofShereKhan,butTabaquiisverycunning." 

           "Havenofear,"saidGrayBrother,lickinghislipsalittle."ImetTabaquiinthedawn.Nowheistellingallhiswisdomtothekites,buthetoldmeeverythingbeforeIbrokehisback.ShereKhan’splanistowaitfortheeatthevillagegatethisevening—fortheeandfornooneelse.Heislyingupnow,inthebigdryravineoftheWaingunga." 

           "Hasheeatentoday,ordoeshehuntempty?"saidMowgli,fortheanswermeantlifeanddeathtohim. 

           "Hekilledatdawn—apig—andhehasdrunktoo.Remember,ShereKhancouldneverfast,evenforthesakeofrevenge."