Маугли
Tiger! Tiger!
Mowgliheardanansweringbellowfromthefootoftheravine,sawShereKhanturn(thetigerknewiftheworstcametotheworstitwasbettertomeetthebullsthanthecowswiththeircalves),andthenRamatripped,stumbled,andwentonagainoversomethingsoft,and,withthebullsathisheels,crashedfullintotheotherherd,whiletheweakerbuffaloeswereliftedcleanofftheirfeetbytheshockofthemeeting.Thatchargecarriedbothherdsoutintotheplain,goringandstampingandsnorting.Mowgliwatchedhistime,andslippedoffRama’sneck,layingabouthimrightandleftwithhisstick.
"Quick,Akela!Breakthemup.Scatterthem,ortheywillbefightingoneanother.Drivethemaway,Akela.Hai,Rama!Hai,hai,hai!mychildren.Softlynow,softly!Itisallover."
AkelaandGrayBrotherrantoandfronippingthebuffaloes’legs,andthoughtheherdwheeledoncetochargeuptheravineagain,MowglimanagedtoturnRama,andtheothersfollowedhimtothewallows.
ShereKhanneedednomoretrampling.Hewasdead,andthekiteswerecomingforhimalready.
"Brothers,thatwasadog’sdeath,"saidMowgli,feelingfortheknifehealwayscarriedinasheathroundhisnecknowthathelivedwithmen."Buthewouldneverhaveshownfight.HishidewilllookwellontheCouncilRock.Wemustgettoworkswiftly."
Aboytrainedamongmenwouldneverhavedreamedofskinningaten-foottigeralone,butMowgliknewbetterthananyoneelsehowananimal’sskinisfittedon,andhowitcanbetakenoff.
