The Jungle Book: Chapter 12

By: jungleboy69

Chapter 12: A Strange Longing

It was late at night but Mowgli couldn't sleep. He sat outside the home cave, looking up and the stars and the full moon. He had learnt so many new things from the humans and he was looking forward to tomorrow's visit.

He looked over the jungle; far below he could see the distant light of the human's camp. He wanted to learn more about them; more of their customs, their homes and their strange human tools he found.

His thoughts suddenly shifted to Cassie. For some strange reason, he couldn't get her out of his mind. There was something about her that drew him to her, something that he felt deep in him but he couldn't explain it. It wasn't just her; there was also Lindy and Shanti too.

"Mowgli..." A gentle voice spoke behind him. The latter turned to see Mother Wolf approaching him. "You should really try and get some sleep." She told him as she sat beside him. "Are you still thinking about them...the humans?" She asked.

"Yes..." Mowgli replied. "They were...very friendly." "They were kind to me." He explained. "They gave me food and milk and taught me strange words." Mother Wolf listened quietly. "I see..." She replied.

"The cubs were also very kind." Mowgli added with a smile. "The girl-cubs were not frightened at me; in fact, they were the ones who helped me to fit in with them" Mother Wolf was curious. "Girl-Cubs?" She asked.

"Yes...three of them, about my age." Mowgli explained. "All young...and beautiful..." He asked. "One of them...is particularly curious about me..." He smiled at the memory of Cassie. "What is...her name?" Mother Wolf asked curiously.

"Cassie..." Mowgli replied. "She was the one I met at the river." "I see..." Mother Wolf replied as she nuzzled her son. "I can't understand it." He spoke up. "I feel as if I know Cassie my whole life and yet, I've only met her two times."

"Whenever I was near her, I get this strange feeling in my chest." He added, his face a bit red an placed a hand over his chest. "I can't explain it...but I feel warm and cold at the same time." Mother Wolf smiled. "Interesting..." She murmured.

"Mother...if only you and the pack could meet them..." Mowgli pointed out. "The humans are not bad." Mother Wolf grew surprised. "Are you sure?" She asked. "Yes, Matri..." Mowgli replied. "The humans do not bring harm to the jungle, they want to...study...it."

Mother Wolf was silent for a moment. "My little frog..." She spoke tenderly. "I wish that we could meet them too...but I don't think it will be possible." "Why not?" Mowgli asked innocently.

"Well, Man is afraid of us." Mother Wolf replied. "They are afraid of our kind." "They believe that we are savage, marauding killers who prey on their livestock or on their cubs." She added. Mowgli was taken aback. "That's not true!" He protested. "Wolves are the most noble creatures in the Jungle!"

Mother Wolf smiled. "Thank you, my son." She replied. "If only more Men would believe the same thing as you do..." "Well, there is a chance." Mowgli replied. "I'm going back there tomorrow."

"You really believe the humans are...friends?" Mother Wolf asked. "I know so, Matri." Mowgli replied. "I'll prove to you and the rest of the pack that the humans are friends." Mother Wolf gently licked Mowgli's cheek.

"I'm sure you will." She replied. "Now, I believe it's time for you to get some sleep." Mowgli smiled as he and Mother Wolf returned back to the home-cave. Before he went in, he looked up at the full moon and stars.

"Good-night, Cassie." He thought before he headed in.

(Meanwhile, back at the human camp...)

Cassie laid in her hammock, staring up at the tent. She was lost in thought about Mowgli, the mysterious and handsome jungle boy. The more she thought about him, the more intrigued and fascinated she was with him.

"Thinking about Mowgli, again?" Shanti spoke up from her hammock. Cassie snapped out of her stupor and grew red. "No...! No, I'm not!" She squealed, her arms waving. "Why would you think that?!"

"Well, you are the closest to him out of every one of us." Shanti replied, a wry smile on her face. "You sat close to him during the lessons, and you've been staring at him since he first came here." "No!" Cassie replied, trying to hide her blushing face.

"Well, can't say I blame you..." Shanti added, with a smile. "He is rather handsome..." Cassie's blushed harder and tried to say something but no sound came out. "Do you really think Mowgli will come back?" Lindy asked from her hammock.

"I'm sure he will." Cassie replied, as she laid on her hammock. "Mowgli said he would." "I hope so too..." Saavni replied as she cozied into her hammock. "I want to meet him again." "Yeah!" Davy replied as he stretched. "I want to know more about Mowgli!"

"Alright, children." Lydia spoke up as she entered the tent. "It's time for you to get some rest." "We have a big tomorrow, so all of you get some sleep." She added. "Sure, Mrs Andrews." Lindy replied as she yawned.

As the kids settled down, Cassie spoke up. "Mom, Mowgli will come back, right?" She asked. Lydia paused. "Well...I'm not sure." She replied honestly. "Mowgli has never seen a group of people like us." "He is still not used to us." She added. "Maybe, he doesn't trust us yet."

"He trusts me..." Cassie pointed out. "I think he will come back." Lydia smiled and kissed her daughter on the forehead. "We'll see, sweetie." She replied. "Get some sleep now." As she blew out the lantern and left the tent, Cassie laid down on her hammock.

"Good night, Mowgli..." She whispered. "Wherever you are..." She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

(Next morning...)

The morning sun shone through the leaves and the song of birds filled the air. Cassie was busy snoring away when she heard a voice call her. "Cassie..." The latter groaned. "Davy...not now..." She grumbled. "Five more minutes..."

"Cassie..." The voice called again. The girl grumbled as she sat up. "Davy...I'm not going to..." She stopped and her eyes widened to see Mowgli looking at her with a curious expression. "Cassie..." He spoke again.

The girl gained a huge smile on her face. Mowgli had returned, just as he said he would. "Mom!" She called out. "Everyone! We have a visitor!"