Мауглі = Mowgli

‘Beyond doubt then it is no small thing that takes two such hunters – leaders in their own Jungle I am certain – on the trail of the Bandar-log,’ Kaa replied courteously, as he swelled with curiosity.

‘Indeed,’ Baloo began, ‘I am no more than the old and sometimes very foolish Teacher of the Law to the Seeonee wolf-cubs, and Bagheera here —’

‘Is Bagheera,’ said the Black Panther, and his jaws shut with a snap, for he did not believe in being humble. ‘The trouble is this, Kaa.

Those nut-stealers and pickers of palm-leaves have stolen away our man cub, of whom thou hast perhaps heard.’

‘I heard some news from Sahi (his quills make him presumptuous) of a man-thing that was entered into a wolf-pack, but I did not believe. Sahi is full of stories half heard and very badly told.’

‘But it is true. He is such a man cub as never was,’ said Baloo. ‘The best and wisest and boldest of man cubs – my own pupil, who shall make the name of Baloo famous through all the Jungles; and besides, I – we – love him, Kaa.

’

‘Ts! Ts!’ said Kaa, shaking his head to and fro. ‘I also have known what love is. There are tales I could tell that —’

‘That need a clear night when we are all well fed to praise properly,’ said Bagheera quickly. ‘Our man cub is in the hands of the Bandar-log now, and we know that of all the Jungle People they fear Kaa alone.’

‘They fear me alone. They have good reason,’ said Kaa.

‘Chattering, foolish, vain – vain, foolish, and chattering, are the monkeys. But a man-thing in their hands is in no good luck. They grow tired of the nuts they pick, and throw them down. They carry a branch half a day, meaning to do great things with it, and then they snap it in two. That man-thing is not to be envied. They called me also – “yellow fish”, was it not?’

‘Worm – worm – earthworm,’ said Bagheera, ‘as well as other things which I cannot now say for shame.

’

‘We must remind them to speak well of their master. Aaa-ssh! We must help their wandering memories. Now, whither went they with the cub?’

‘The Jungle alone knows. Toward the sunset, I believe,’ said Baloo. ‘We had thought that thou wouldst know, Kaa.’

‘I? How? I take them when they come in my way, but I do not hunt the Bandar-log, or frogs – or green scum on a water-hole for that matter.