Мауглі

           Hebeatthebuffaloeswithalong,polishedbamboo,andtoldKamya,oneoftheboys,tograzethecattlebythemselves,whilehewentonwiththebuffaloes,andtobeverycarefulnottostrayawayfromtheherd. 

           AnIndiangrazinggroundisallrocksandscrubandtussocksandlittleravines,amongwhichtheherdsscatteranddisappear.Thebuffaloesgenerallykeeptothepoolsandmuddyplaces,wheretheyliewallowingorbaskinginthewarmmudforhours.MowglidrovethemontotheedgeoftheplainwheretheWaingungacameoutofthejungle;thenhedroppedfromRama’sneck,trottedofftoabambooclump,andfoundGrayBrother."Ah,"saidGrayBrother,"Ihavewaitedhereverymanydays.Whatisthemeaningofthiscattle-herdingwork?" 

           "Itisanorder,"saidMowgli."Iamavillageherdforawhile.WhatnewsofShereKhan?" 

           "Hehascomebacktothiscountry,andhaswaitedherealongtimeforthee.Nowhehasgoneoffagain,forthegameisscarce.Buthemeanstokillthee." 

           "Verygood,"saidMowgli."Solongasheisawaydothouoroneofthefourbrotherssitonthatrock,sothatIcanseetheeasIcomeoutofthevillage.Whenhecomesbackwaitformeintheravinebythedhaktreeinthecenteroftheplain.WeneednotwalkintoShereKhan’smouth." 

           ThenMowglipickedoutashadyplace,andlaydownandsleptwhilethebuffaloesgrazedroundhim.HerdinginIndiaisoneofthelaziestthingsintheworld.Thecattlemoveandcrunch,andliedown,andmoveonagain,andtheydonotevenlow.