Hey guys! So as you know I love the jungle book 2016. And the best moments in my opinion were the ones with Bagheera and Mowgli. I really think that they have a real connection, and that is why I thought I could write something about them.
Enjoy!
Mowgli looked into the horizon, as darkness slowly was being swallowed by light. The gleaming sun dissapeared behind the trees and wonders of the jungle.
The small boy sighed in sadness, as he thought about Akela. The one father Mowgli had, and he had lost him. Lost him to that ruthless tiger; Shere Khan. Mowgli grimaced at the thought of his name. He hated Shere Khan. It was all his fault. If it wasn't for him, Akela would still be alive. The loss of Akela had brought Mowgli greater pain than he ever would have imagined. For who could ever replace him?
The sound of bushes rustling, made Mowgli snap out of his thoughts. He looked behind him, only to see Bagheera looking at him with a worried gaze.
"Where have you been all day?" He asked, as he walked over beside the man-cub.
Mowgli sighed. "Just here." He said quietly.
The Panther instantly sensed that something was bothering the man-cub. So as any normal being would do; he asked him.
"What's wrong?" Bagheera asked softly.
"Nothing." Mowgli whispered.
The Panther gave a low growl. "Why are you lying?"
The boy flinched, hearing Bagheera's harsh tone. He quickly shrugged it off. "I'm not lying."
"You're doing it again."
The man-cub sighed, knowing that he couldn't get around this one. He looked at the ground sadly. "Well," He started.
Bagheera nodded, giving him the sign to continue.
"I miss Akela."
The Panther froze for a split second. He really did fell bad for the boy. Losing a father at such a young age, had to be heartbreaking.
He remembered how Mowgli had found out when Akela had been killed. That stupid big headed monkey had told him. Bagheera had wanted to tell the boy himself, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. He couldn't bear seing the utter heartbreak on the small boy's face. But instead the truth had gotten out to Mowgli, from a crazy stranger who tried to kill him.
"I understand," Said the Panther, breaking the silence. "But we can do nothing, for he is gone. The only thing you have are the memories, man-cub, and those are the strongest and most precious of all."
Mowgli let out a small whimper. "I know," He sighed. "But who will ever replace him?"
There was a small silence, then the Panther sighed and nudged Mowgli's shoulder affectionately. "No one can."
Silence filled the air, once again.
Then Bagheera looked at Mowgli and said; "You know; Akela told me once: That if he ever were to leave, I should be the one to take care of you."
That made Mowgli stiffen, and for the first time since the Panther had arrived, Mowgli looked into his eyes.
"S- so does that mean..." Mowgli trailed of in hesitation. "That you are my father now?" He finally choked out, scared to get a disapproving look from the panther.
But as the silence went on, Mowgli felt his stomach tie in knots, regretting that he had ever asked.
'What a stupid question to ask,' Mowgli thought to himself. 'He's probably going to laugh at me.' He frowned thinking of Bagheera telling him that he was a 'silly man-cub'.
Suddenly a small smile appeared on the Panther's face. "I suppose."
Mowgli was shocked: First of all; because the Panther didn't laugh at him, and second of all; because he said yes.
But then when Mowgli really thought about it; Bagheera was like a father to him. He had always been there, through good and bad. He had always protected him, at all costs. Even though it sometimes meant hurting himself. And there was not one night, when Mowgli had nightmares and the Panther wouldn't come to sooth him.
Bagheera really was his father.
Mowgli smiled with glee, as he suddenly tackled the panther in a tight hug. Bagheera looked down at the man-cub clenched to his neck, and then smiled. A soft purr left his lips, and then he lovingly nuzzled the boy's head. He truly loved this cub as his own. When ever Bagheera felt lonely, Mowgli was always there for him. There was never one time when Mowgli's laughter didn't make Bagheera smile, and make his day. Even though the boy's sometimes constant bickering, could annoy him a lot, he wouldn't change it for the world.
So you could say; that Mowgli really was his little man-cub.