Baloo, the old brown bear, loved teaching Mowgli. He taught him how to speak to the different Jungle-Prople, and he taught him the important Master- Words. But Mowgli sometimes got bored with all the lessons. One day, when he was not listening, Baloo hit him, very softly, on the head, and Mowgli ran away angrily.
Bagheera, the black panther, was not happy about this. ‘Remember how small he is,’ he said to Baloo. ‘How can his little head hold all your long words?’
‘These words will keep him safe form the birds, from the Snake- People, and all the animals that hunt,’ said Baloo. ‘It is true that he is only small. But no one will hurt him, if he remembers all the Master- words. Come, Mowgli!’ he called into the trees. ‘Come and say the words again.’