Мауглі
Tiger! Tiger!
Thepriestwasacleverman,andheknewthatMessuawaswifetotherichestvillagerintheplace.Sohelookedupattheskyforaminuteandsaidsolemnly:"Whatthejunglehastakenthejunglehasrestored.Taketheboyintothyhouse,mysister,andforgetnottohonorthepriestwhoseessofarintothelivesofmen."
"BytheBullthatboughtme,"saidMowglitohimself,"butallthistalkingislikeanotherlooking-overbythePack!Well,ifIamaman,amanImustbecome."
ThecrowdpartedasthewomanbeckonedMowglitoherhut,wheretherewasaredlacqueredbedstead,agreatearthengrainchestwithfunnyraisedpatternsonit,halfadozencoppercookingpots,animageofaHindugodinalittlealcove,andonthewallareallookingglass,suchastheysellatthecountryfairs.
Shegavehimalongdrinkofmilkandsomebread,andthenshelaidherhandonhisheadandlookedintohiseyes;forshethoughtperhapsthathemightbeherrealsoncomebackfromthejunglewherethetigerhadtakenhim.Soshesaid,"Nathoo,ONathoo!"Mowglididnotshowthatheknewthename."DostthounotrememberthedaywhenIgavetheethynewshoes?"Shetouchedhisfoot,anditwasalmostashardashorn."No,"shesaidsorrowfully,"thosefeethaveneverwornshoes,butthouartverylikemyNathoo,andthoushaltbemyson."
Mowgliwasuneasy,becausehehadneverbeenunderaroofbefore.Butashelookedatthethatch,hesawthathecouldtearitoutanytimeifhewantedtogetaway,andthatthewindowhadnofastenings.