Mowgli is our brother,’ said Akela. ‘He has done nothing wrong. Let him go to his own place.’
‘He is a man,’ cried Shere Khan and most of the wolves.
Mowgli stood up, the fire –pot I his hands. He was very angry, and very sad.
‘You have said many times that I am a man. I was your brother, but I will not call you my brothers again. I will decide on my life or my death, not you. I am a man, and to show you, I have brought the Red Flower with me.’
He dropped the fire-pot on the ground and some of the fire fell out. The wolves were very afraid and moved back. Mowgli held a long piece of wood in the fire and the end began to burn brightly.
‘You are the leader now,’ said Bagheera softly. ‘Help Akela. He was always your friend.’