And Mowgli jumped at the young wolves with his burning stick and they all ran away. In the end there were only Akela, Bagheera, and a few older wolves left. Then something began to hurt Mowgli inside him and, for the first time in his life, tears ran down his face.
‘What is it? What is it? Am I dying, Bagheera?’
‘No, Little Brother. You are a man, and these are men’s tears. But you must go – the jungle is closed to you now.’
‘Yes,’ said Mowgli. ‘I will go to men. But first I must say goodbye to my mother.’ And he went to the cave and cried on Mother Wolf’s coat.