Мауглі

           "Bothermywhiteteeth!Haveyoueverheardwhereshekeepshereggs?"

           "Inthemelonbed,ontheendnearestthewall,wherethesunstrikesnearlyallday.Shehidthemthereweeksago."

           "Andyouneverthoughtitworthwhiletotellme?Theendnearestthewall,yousaid?"

           "Rikki-tikki,youarenotgoingtoeathereggs?"

           "Noteatexactly;no.Darzee,ifyouhaveagrainofsenseyouwillflyofftothestablesandpretendthatyourwingisbroken,andletNagainachaseyouawaytothisbush.Imustgettothemelon-bed,andifIwenttherenowshe’dseeme."

           Darzeewasafeather-brainedlittlefellowwhocouldneverholdmorethanoneideaatatimeinhishead.AndjustbecauseheknewthatNagaina’schildrenwerebornineggslikehisown,hedidn’tthinkatfirstthatitwasfairtokillthem.Buthiswifewasasensiblebird,andsheknewthatcobra’seggsmeantyoungcobraslateron.Sosheflewofffromthenest,andleftDarzeetokeepthebabieswarm,andcontinuehissongaboutthedeathofNag.Darzeewasverylikeamaninsomeways.

           SheflutteredinfrontofNagainabytherubbishheapandcriedout,"Oh,mywingisbroken!Theboyinthehousethrewastoneatmeandbrokeit."Thensheflutteredmoredesperatelythanever.

           Nagainaliftedupherheadandhissed,"YouwarnedRikki-tikkiwhenIwouldhavekilledhim.Indeedandtruly,you’vechosenabadplacetobelamein."AndshemovedtowardDarzee’swife,slippingalongoverthedust.

           "Theboybrokeitwithastone!"shriekedDarzee’swife.