Мауглі

           Themoonlightwasblockedoutofthemouthofthecave,forShereKhan’sgreatsquareheadandshoulderswerethrustintotheentrance. Tabaqui,behindhim,wassqueaking: "Mylord,mylord,itwentinhere!" 

           "ShereKhandoesusgreathonor,"saidFatherWolf,buthiseyeswereveryangry. "WhatdoesShereKhanneed?" 

           "Myquarry. Aman’scubwentthisway,"saidShereKhan. "Itsparentshaverunoff. Giveittome." 

           ShereKhanhadjumpedatawoodcutter’scampfire,asFatherWolfhadsaid,andwasfuriousfromthepainofhisburnedfeet. ButFatherWolfknewthatthemouthofthecavewastoonarrowforatigertocomeinby. Evenwherehewas,ShereKhan’sshouldersandforepawswerecrampedforwantofroom,asaman’swouldbeifhetriedtofightinabarrel. 

           "TheWolvesareafreepeople,"saidFatherWolf. "TheytakeordersfromtheHeadofthePack,andnotfromanystripedcattle-killer. Theman’scubisours—tokillifwechoose." 

           "Yechooseandyedonotchoose! Whattalkisthisofchoosing? BythebullthatIkilled,amItostandnosingintoyourdog’sdenformyfairdues? ItisI,ShereKhan,whospeak!" 

           Thetiger’sroarfilledthecavewiththunder. MotherWolfshookherselfclearofthecubsandsprangforward,hereyes,liketwogreenmoonsinthedarkness,facingtheblazingeyesofShereKhan. 

           "AnditisI,Raksha(TheDemon),whoanswers. Theman’scubismine,Lungri—minetome! Heshallnotbekilled.