Мауглі

           NowPetersenSahibhadearsalloverhim,asamanmusthavewholistenstothemostsilentofalllivingthings—thewildelephant.HeturnedwherehewaslyingallalongonPudmini’sbackandsaid,"Whatisthat?Ididnotknowofamanamongtheplains-driverswhohadwitenoughtoropeevenadeadelephant."

           "Thisisnotaman,butaboy.HewentintotheKeddahatthelastdrive,andthrewBarmaotheretherope,whenweweretryingtogetthatyoungcalfwiththeblotchonhisshoulderawayfromhismother."

           MachuaAppapointedatLittleToomai,andPetersenSahiblooked,andLittleToomaibowedtotheearth.

           "Hethrowarope?Heissmallerthanapicket-pin.Littleone,whatisthyname?"saidPetersenSahib.

           LittleToomaiwastoofrightenedtospeak,butKalaNagwasbehindhim,andToomaimadeasignwithhishand,andtheelephantcaughthimupinhistrunkandheldhimlevelwithPudmini’sforehead,infrontofthegreatPetersenSahib.ThenLittleToomaicoveredhisfacewithhishands,forhewasonlyachild,andexceptwhereelephantswereconcerned,hewasjustasbashfulasachildcouldbe.

           "Oho!"saidPetersenSahib,smilingunderneathhismustache,"andwhydidstthouteachthyelephantthattrick?Wasittohelptheestealgreencornfromtheroofsofthehouseswhentheearsareputouttodry?"

           "Notgreencorn,ProtectorofthePoor—melons,"saidLittleToomai,andallthemensittingaboutbrokeintoaroaroflaughter.Mostofthemhadtaughttheirelephantsthattrickwhentheywereboys.