Мауглі

           Rikki-tikkilikeditimmensely,andwhenitwasfinishedhewentoutintotheverandaandsatinthesunshineandfluffeduphisfurtomakeitdrytotheroots.Thenhefeltbetter.

           "Therearemorethingstofindoutaboutinthishouse,"hesaidtohimself,"thanallmyfamilycouldfindoutinalltheirlives.Ishallcertainlystayandfindout."

           Hespentallthatdayroamingoverthehouse.Henearlydrownedhimselfinthebath-tubs,puthisnoseintotheinkonawritingtable,andburneditontheendofthebigman’scigar,forheclimbedupinthebigman’slaptoseehowwritingwasdone.AtnightfallheranintoTeddy’snurserytowatchhowkerosenelampswerelighted,andwhenTeddywenttobedRikki-tikkiclimbeduptoo.Buthewasarestlesscompanion,becausehehadtogetupandattendtoeverynoiseallthroughthenight,andfindoutwhatmadeit.Teddy’smotherandfathercamein,thelastthing,tolookattheirboy,andRikki-tikkiwasawakeonthepillow."Idon’tlikethat,"saidTeddy’smother."Hemaybitethechild.""He’lldonosuchthing,"saidthefather."Teddy’ssaferwiththatlittlebeastthanifhehadabloodhoundtowatchhim.Ifasnakecameintothenurserynow—"

           ButTeddy’smotherwouldn’tthinkofanythingsoawful.

           EarlyinthemorningRikki-tikkicametoearlybreakfastintheverandaridingonTeddy’sshoulder,andtheygavehimbananaandsomeboiledegg.