Mowgli knew that he had enemies now and he went far away. He ran until he came to a village. Everywhere Mowgli could see cows and buffaloes. Some little boys were looking after the cows, but when they saw Mowgli shouted and ran away. Mowgli walked on until he came to the village gate. When a man came out of He sat down by the the village, Mowgli opened his mouth to show that he wanted food. The man ran back into the village and came back with a hundred other people. They all looked at Mowgli and saw the bite-marks on his arms and legs. "Look," said a man, those are the bite-marks ofwolves. He is a wolf-child who has run away from the jungle. "He is a good-looking boy," said one of the women. Messua, he looks like your little boy that was taken by the tiger Let me look,' said Me "Yes, he is thin, but he looks like my son.' "Take him to your house, Messua," the villagers said. "The jungle took your boy, and the jungle has given you this one back.' The woman called Messua took Mowgli to her house and gave him milk and bread. This was Mowgli's first time in a house, and he did not like it. "But I am a man now," he thought, "and I must do what men do. I must also learn to speak like knew all the many languages of the jungle, and so it was easy for him to learn the sounds of men. But that night he did not want to sleep inside the house. So he climbed out of the window, and went to sleep in a field near the village. Before he went to sleep, a soft grey nose touched his face. It was Grey Brother, the eldest of Mother Wolf's cubs. "Wake, Little Brother, he said. I bring news. Shere Khan has gone away. You burnt his coat with the Red Flower. But he says that, when he comes back, he will kill you.replied Mowgli. you with love you all. will always are men? "I remember that For He three months had Mowgli learnt how to wear clothes, to be like a man learn how to use money, and how to work in the fields.
look after the herds of cows and buffaloes while they ate. Mowgli enjoyed this work, and usually went on alone, with a big group of cows and buffaloes. One day he saw Grey Brother under a tree near the jungle. "Sheree Khan has come back, but he is hiding for a while. Then he is coming to kill you,' said Grey Brother. Very good," said Mowgli. Tell me when he comes. Meet me at the river, by the big dhak-tree with golden flowers. I will watch for you there every day Day after day Mowgli went out with the herds, but there was nobody at the dhak-tree. Then at last the day came when Grey Brother was waiting for him Shere Khan has waited for a month, and is hoping that you have now forgotten about him," said the wolf "He's going to wait for you at the village gate this evening. But now he is hiding in the big ravine of the Waingunga. I met Tabaqui this morning here Grey Brother showed his teeth a little -and before broke his back, he told me all about Shere Has Shere Khan eaten today, or hunt plan. an's The answer was life or death for Mowgli "He killed and ate this morning. And he has drunk too. How stupid he ist said Mowgli. The ravine of Waingunga! I can take the buffaloes round to the top end and chase Shere Khan down the ravine. After a meal, he cannot fight or climb easily. But I need a big group of cows at the bottom end of the ravine, to stop him escaping. Then we will catch me, between the buffaloes and the cows. Can you help him Grey Brother?' "Not I alone," said Grey Brother, "butIhave someone who will help me.' And the big grey head of Akela came out from the trees Akela! Akela!" said Mowgli. i new you would not forget me." The two wolves ran here and there among the herd, and soon the cows and buffaloes were in two groups.
Already, they were getting excited and dangerous. The other herd-boys, who were watching long way away, ran back to the village with the news. "Keep the cows together, . It took a long time because they did not want Shere Khan to hear them. At last Mowgli was ready. He stopped and shouted down the ravine here Khan! It is I, Mowgli. It is time for our meetin Mowgli rode on the back of Rama, the biggest of the buffaloes, and Akela chased the herd from behind. The buffaloes began to run down the ravine, faster and faster, and the ground shook under their heavy feet. Shere Khan heard the noise and woke up. He knew what it was, and he began to run down the ravine. No tiger can hope to stand against a herd of buffaloes when they are moving fast. He looked for a way to escape, but the ravine was narrow, with high rocky walls. He had on, heavy with his dinner and his drink. Then to go he saw the cows at the bottom of the ravine, and turned it was too late. He fell under the feet of the buffaloes and they ran over him like a river running down a mountain. The buffaloes did not stop until they crashed into the herd of cows. Mowgli jumped off Rama's back and shouted to Akela and Grey Brother. It is done! Shere Khan is dead! He died the death of a dog, not a fighting tiger Mowgli took his knife