Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

           Attheholewherehewentin

           Red-EyecalledtoWrinkle-Skin.

           HearwhatlittleRed-Eyesaith:

           "Nag,comeupanddancewithdeath!"

           Eyetoeyeandheadtohead,

           (Keepthemeasure,Nag.)

           Thisshallendwhenoneisdead;

           (Atthypleasure,Nag.)

           Turnforturnandtwistfortwist—

           (Runandhidethee,Nag.)

           Hah!ThehoodedDeathhasmissed!

           (Woebetidethee,Nag!)

           ThisisthestoryofthegreatwarthatRikki-tikki-tavifoughtsingle-handed,throughthebath-roomsofthebigbungalowinSegowleecantonment.Darzee,theTailorbird,helpedhim,andChuchundra,themusk-rat,whonevercomesoutintothemiddleofthefloor,butalwayscreepsroundbythewall,gavehimadvice,butRikki-tikkididtherealfighting.

           Hewasamongoose,ratherlikealittlecatinhisfurandhistail,butquitelikeaweaselinhisheadandhishabits.Hiseyesandtheendofhisrestlessnosewerepink.Hecouldscratchhimselfanywherehepleasedwithanyleg,frontorback,thathechosetouse.Hecouldfluffuphistailtillitlookedlikeabottlebrush,andhiswarcryashescuttledthroughthelonggrasswas:"Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!"

           Oneday,ahighsummerfloodwashedhimoutoftheburrowwherehelivedwithhisfatherandmother,andcarriedhim,kickingandclucking,downaroadsideditch.Hefoundalittlewispofgrassfloatingthere,andclungtoittillhelosthissenses.Whenherevived,hewaslyinginthehotsunonthemiddleofagardenpath,verydraggledindeed,andasmallboywassaying,"Here’sadeadmongoose.Let’shaveafuneral."