Rudyard Kipling

The Jungle Book Rudyard Kipling

The story of "The Jungle Book" concerns a young man-cub named Mowgli. A panther named Bagheera one day comes across an abandoned boat, in which a small baby is seen. Taking pity on the baby, Bagheera takes it to a small family of wolves, who adopt the boy.

10 years pass, and Mowgli has grown into a wiry young boy, who has long since been adopted into his wolf pack, despite his differences. However, word has reached the pack that the tiger Shere Khan has been spotted in the jungle. The pack knows of Khan's hatred of man and wishes to send Mowgli away for protection. Bagheera volunteers to take Mowgli to a man-village some distance away.

Mowgli and Bagheera set out sometime after dark. They stay in a tree for the night but are disturbed by Kaa, a python with a hypnotic gaze, who tries to hypnotize both of them, before being pushed out of the tree by Mowgli.

The next day, they are awakened by 'The Dawn Patrol, ' a pack of elephants led by Colonel Hathi. Mowgli spends a few moments with their son, whom one daydream of following in his Father's footsteps. Bagheera orders Mowgli to continue on their way to the man-village, but Mowgli refuses. After some struggles, Bagheera and Mowgli separate, fed up with the other's company.

As Mowgli sulks by a rock, he is suddenly discovered by Baloo, a large bear with a care-free attitude. Bagheera hears the commotion caused by the two of them, and returns dismayed that Mowgli has encountered the 'jungle bum.' Baloo's 'philosophy of living care-free in the jungle easily takes hold of the young man-cub, and Mowgli now wishes to stay with Baloo. However, a group of monkeys suddenly appear and take Mowgli away.