Kaa’s Hunting

           HisspotsarethejoyoftheLeopard:hishornsaretheBuffalo’spride. 

           Beclean,forthestrengthofthehunterisknownbytheglossofhishide. 

           IfyefindthattheBullockcantossyou,ortheheavy-browedSambhurcangore; 

           Yeneednotstopworktoinformus:weknewittenseasonsbefore. 

           Oppressnotthecubsofthestranger,buthailthemasSisterandBrother, 

           Forthoughtheyarelittleandfubsy,itmaybetheBearistheirmother. 

           "Thereisnoneliketome!"saystheCubintheprideofhisearliestkill; 

           ButthejungleislargeandtheCubheissmall.Lethimthinkandbestill. 

           MaximsofBaloo 

           AllthatistoldherehappenedsometimebeforeMowgliwasturnedoutoftheSeeoneeWolfPack,orrevengedhimselfonShereKhanthetiger. ItwasinthedayswhenBaloowasteachinghimtheLawoftheJungle. Thebig,serious,oldbrownbearwasdelightedtohavesoquickapupil,fortheyoungwolveswillonlylearnasmuchoftheLawoftheJungleasappliestotheirownpackandtribe,andrunawayassoonastheycanrepeattheHuntingVerse —"Feetthatmakenonoise;eyesthatcanseeinthedark;earsthatcanhearthewindsintheirlairs,andsharpwhiteteeth,allthesethingsarethemarksofourbrothersexceptTabaquitheJackalandtheHyaenawhomwehate." ButMowgli,asaman-cub,hadtolearnagreatdealmorethanthis. SometimesBagheeratheBlackPantherwouldcomeloungingthroughthejungletoseehowhispetwasgettingon,andwouldpurrwithhisheadagainstatreewhileMowglirecitedtheday’slessontoBaloo.