‘There is no wolf on the rock,’ began Shere Khan, but the other wolves said, ‘Let Akela speak.’
Akela looked up, old and tired. ‘Free people, I have been your leader for many years. In all that time no wolf has died in the hunt. But this time I did not kill my deer. The Law of the Jungle says that you must come one by one.’
No one spoke. Akela was old, but nobody wanted to fight Akela alone.
Then Shere Khan spoke. Bah! This old wolf is not important. He will die soon. It is the man-cub who has lived too long. Give him to me.’
‘A man! A man!’ cried most of the younger wolves angrily. ‘A man does not belong in the
Wolf-pack.’