The Jungle Book: Chapter 3

By: jungleboy69

Chapter 3: Mowgli's Lessons

10 years had passed, 10 times the rains came and gone. The sun shone done over the lush, green jungle and Chil, the kite soared over the leafy treetops. Down below, a sound of joyful howling could be heard echoing through the jungle.

It was none other than Mowgli, riding on Bagheera's back as he bounded through the jungle. "Faster, Bagheera!" The man-cub exclaimed in excitement. "Faster!" Bagheera smirked as he raced through the jungle.

Mowgli had grown up to be a fine boy. His hair was long, unkempt and wild and his fair skin shone in the sun. He lived in the Seeonne Wolf Pack and grew up with the cubs, though they of course had become grown wolves almost before he was a child.

Bagheera had become his closest friend. They would often hunt together or nap together. Mowgli especially loved riding him as they raced through the jungle. He enjoyed the wind in his hair and the beams of sunlight tickle his face.

Bagheera taught him how to stay downwind so his prey wouldn't smell him and how to sneak up on his prey. After the run, they stalked a sambar deer that was grazing in an open field. The Panther slowly began to creep across the field, with Mowgli copying him.

The Man-Cub watched as the Panther stopped and unsheathed his claws and imitated the same thing with his fingers. "Hunting is sacred..." Bagheera whispered to him. "By the Law of the Jungle, every creature kills. It is our right."

"However, we must only kill for food, never for sport." He added. Mowgli nodded to show his understanding. As they crept closer to the deer, Bagheera whispered again. "Wait here and watch...Little Brother..." It was his affectionate name he usually called.

Mowgli stood still and watched the Panther crept closer and closer. Finally, with a roar, Bagheera pounced on the deer and brought it down. With a final cry, the deer was dead and Bagheera stood over it, holding it down with his paws on its neck and head, panting for breath.

Mowgli crawled closer to him. "Wait...Little Brother..." Bagheera whispered. "Look into the eyes so that the soul does not leave this world alone." Mowgli complied and looked into the deer's eyes. He could sense the calmness from it, no fear, no anger, only peace.

Soon after, Bagheera opened his mouth and bit down on the deer's neck and Mowgli watched it cry out, its life ended instantly.

(A while later...)

After a hearty meal of deer meat, Mowgli and Bagheera rested on a huge log above a small river. The Man-Cub looked over the river's surface. "Bagheera...how old is the jungle?" He asked. The Panther's eyes were still closed as he answered. "The jungle has been here before any of us are born..."

He yawned, showing his sharp, white teeth. "and it will be here after we die..." "So, you see, Little Brother..." He added as Mowgli gazed around. "The jungle is eternal..." The Man-Cub had another question, something that haunted him for some time. "Bagheera...why am I different from the other wolves?" He asked.

Bagheera slowly opened his eyes and turned to Mowgli. He sat up until he was eye-level with him. "I have no claws or fangs..." The Man-Cub explained. "And no fur..." He gestured to himself. "Some of the other wolves tease and make fun of me..."

Bagheera looked at him with sympathy. With a deep breath, he spoke gently. "Mowgli...every creature in the jungle is different...and that's what makes every creature special." "The birds have their wings to fly...the hares have long ears to hear danger...I have my agility and stealth to climb trees or hunt."

Bagheera cupped Mowgli's chin with his paw and smiled. "You are not different...you are special...Little Brother..." Mowgli smiled back. He always enjoyed Bagheera's friendship. "Skreee! Skree!" The two looked up to see a large Brahminy Kite soaring over them.

It was Chil, the Kite, the largest and most powerful bird in the jungle. "Mowgli...it is time for your lessons!" He called. "Baloo is waiting for you!" Mowgli huffed a bit. "Why must I go?!" He moaned. "I know all the Laws of the Jungle!"

"You know your lessons are important..." Bagheera explained with a chuckle. "Come on, we can't keep Baloo waiting." Mowgli sighed and hopped onto the Panther's back. Soon, they bounded away with Chil soaring on ahead and Mowgli howling away joyfully.

(A moment later...)

Mowgli wished he was somewhere else right now instead of being stuck in Baloo's lesson like a fly in a spider's web. He was lying flat on the rough ground, with his long black hair all tangled and messy in the soil, dirt and fallen leaves and his fair skin shining in the sun while staring up in through the branches in the clear blue sky.

"Of course, you're different and special!" Baloo stated from a short distance away as he took a bite out of a large, yellow mango. "That's why you need special training." Mowgli rolled his eyes before he decided to change the subject.

"Baloo, how many ants can you fit in your mouth?" Mowgli asked. "Because ants are so small...and your mouth is so big." "The problem with you is your lack of focus." Baloo reminded as he munched on his mango, his mouth filled with juice and fruit bits.

"Or how many monkeys can a python swallow ?" Mowgli asked again. "Because their bodies are really long and..." "Mowgli, will you concentrate!" Baloo roared. The Man-Cub was so distracted with his questions that he didn't notice the scorpion crawling on him until he saw it on his face.

Mowgli stiffened up and his eyes widened as the scorpion raised its stinger, poised to strike. "Do. Not. Move..." Baloo whispered anxiously. Remembering Bagheera's hunting lesson, Mowgli stood absolutely still, watching the scorpion.

After what seemed like an eternity, the scorpion lowered its stinger and crawled off Mowgli. The Man-Cub quickly sat up. "Baloo, why do I have to do this?" He moaned. "Because I said so." The Bear replied sternly. "Now, tell me the Three Laws of the Jungle now"

Mowgli jumped up and climbed one of the small trees with long branches while answering. "No wolf shall contact with Man." Baloo nodded. "Next." He replied. But, he was still distracted with thoughts and questions in his head. "Baloo, what happened to your tail?" He asked innocently.

"Next!" The Bear roared again. "No wolf or any beast shall hunt Man's animals." Mowgli grabbed a vine and swung to another tree. "Above all, the cow which is sacred!" "Did your tail fall off or something?" He repeated his question again, causing Baloo to groan. "Or was it eaten by something?"

"Well, why haven't you got a tail?" The Bear shot back. "I don't know." Mowgli replied. "I never really thought about it." "Third Law, now!" Baloo spoke impatiently. "No wolf or any beast should kill Man for killing Man will bring danger to the jungle." Mowgli replied.

Baloo grunted in approval. "At least, you know your three Laws..." He pointed out. "Now, we just gotta get you running as fast as the other wolves." Mowgli smirked as he dangled upside down on the branch, picking a mango and throwing it at the Bear, only for Baloo to catch it with his paw.

Baloo snorted a bit before he threw the mango back at Mowgli, hitting him on the face and making him fall from the tree. "Don't let your guard down!" The Bear laughed. Mowgli laughed too as he dusted himself. "Alright, that's enough for today..." Baloo pointed out

The Man-Cub excitedly got up and hurried off. "Straight back to the caves and no wandering off!" Baloo called. "And run like a wolf!" "I am a wolf!" Mowgli laughed as he disappeared into the undergrowth.

Baloo laughed a bit, but a worried smile grew on his face. Mowgli had been his best and brightest pupil yet, but somehow deep down, he knew that some day...Mowgli would meet one of his own kind.