Мауглі

           TelltheCoppersmith,Darzee,andhewilltellthegardenthatNagainaisdead."

           TheCoppersmithisabirdwhomakesanoiseexactlylikethebeatingofalittlehammeronacopperpot;andthereasonheisalwaysmakingitisbecauseheisthetowncriertoeveryIndiangarden,andtellsallthenewstoeverybodywhocarestolisten.AsRikki-tikkiwentupthepath,heheardhis"attention"noteslikeatinydinnergong,andthenthesteady"Ding-dong-tock!Nagisdead—dong!Nagainaisdead!Ding-dong-tock!"Thatsetallthebirdsinthegardensinging,andthefrogscroaking,forNagandNagainausedtoeatfrogsaswellaslittlebirds.

           WhenRikkigottothehouse,TeddyandTeddy’smother(shelookedverywhitestill,forshehadbeenfainting)andTeddy’sfathercameoutandalmostcriedoverhim;andthatnightheateallthatwasgivenhimtillhecouldeatnomore,andwenttobedonTeddy’sshoulder,whereTeddy’smothersawhimwhenshecametolooklateatnight.

           "HesavedourlivesandTeddy’slife,"shesaidtoherhusband."Justthink,hesavedallourlives."

           Rikki-tikkiwokeupwithajump,forthemongoosesarelightsleepers.

           "Oh,it’syou,"saidhe."Whatareyoubotheringfor?Allthecobrasaredead.Andiftheyweren’t,I’mhere."

           Rikki-tikkihadarighttobeproudofhimself.Buthedidnotgrowtooproud,andhekeptthatgardenasamongooseshouldkeepit,withtoothandjumpandspringandbite,tillneveracobradaredshowitsheadinsidethewalls.