Мауглі

           TheninchbyinchoutofthegrassroseuptheheadandspreadhoodofNag,thebigblackcobra,andhewasfivefeetlongfromtonguetotail.Whenhehadliftedone-thirdofhimselfclearoftheground,hestayedbalancingtoandfroexactlyasadandeliontuftbalancesinthewind,andhelookedatRikki-tikkiwiththewickedsnake’seyesthatneverchangetheirexpression,whateverthesnakemaybethinkingof.

           "WhoisNag?"saidhe."IamNag.ThegreatGodBrahmputhismarkuponallourpeople,whenthefirstcobraspreadhishoodtokeepthesunoffBrahmasheslept.Look,andbeafraid!"

           Hespreadouthishoodmorethanever,andRikki-tikkisawthespectacle-markonthebackofitthatlooksexactlyliketheeyepartofahook-and-eyefastening.Hewasafraidfortheminute,butitisimpossibleforamongoosetostayfrightenedforanylengthoftime,andthoughRikki-tikkihadnevermetalivecobrabefore,hismotherhadfedhimondeadones,andheknewthatallagrownmongoose’sbusinessinlifewastofightandeatsnakes.Nagknewthattooand,atthebottomofhiscoldheart,hewasafraid.

           "Well,"saidRikki-tikki,andhistailbegantofluffupagain,"marksornomarks,doyouthinkitisrightforyoutoeatfledglingsoutofanest?"

           Nagwasthinkingtohimself,andwatchingtheleastlittlemovementinthegrassbehindRikki-tikki.Heknewthatmongoosesinthegardenmeantdeathsoonerorlaterforhimandhisfamily,buthewantedtogetRikki-tikkioffhisguard.Sohedroppedhisheadalittle,andputitononeside.