Мауглі

           Bagheerastretchedhimselfatfulllengthandhalfshuthiseyes. "LittleBrother,"saidhe,"feelundermyjaw." 

           Mowgliputuphisstrongbrownhand,andjustunderBagheera’ssilkychin,wherethegiantrollingmuscleswereallhidbytheglossyhair,hecameuponalittlebaldspot. 

           "ThereisnooneinthejunglethatknowsthatI,Bagheera,carrythatmark—themarkofthecollar; andyet,LittleBrother,Iwasbornamongmen,anditwasamongmenthatmymotherdied—inthecagesoftheking’spalaceatOodeypore. ItwasbecauseofthisthatIpaidthepricefortheeattheCouncilwhenthouwastalittlenakedcub. Yes,Itoowasbornamongmen. Ihadneverseenthejungle. TheyfedmebehindbarsfromanironpantillonenightIfeltthatIwasBagheera—thePanther—andnoman’splaything,andIbrokethesillylockwithoneblowofmypawandcameaway. AndbecauseIhadlearnedthewaysofmen,IbecamemoreterribleinthejunglethanShereKhan. Isitnotso?" 

           "Yes,"saidMowgli,"allthejunglefearBagheera—allexceptMowgli." 

           "Oh,thouartaman’scub,"saidtheBlackPantherverytenderly. "AndevenasIreturnedtomyjungle,sothoumustgobacktomenatlast—tothemenwhoarethybrothers—ifthouartnotkilledintheCouncil." 

           "Butwhy—butwhyshouldanywishtokillme?"saidMowgli. 

           "Lookatme,"saidBagheera. AndMowglilookedathimsteadilybetweentheeyes. Thebigpantherturnedhisheadawayinhalfaminute.