The Jungle Book: Chapter 15
By: jungleboy69
Chapter 15: Moment of Truth
A week had passed and Mowgli had learnt much from the human families. His human speech and etiquette improved and he learnt many of the strange tools that humans use like 'phones' or 'radios'.
In return, Mowgli taught them about the Laws of the Jungle that he learnt from Baloo. He even taught them the Master Words. The kids were able to pick them up easily and even their parents joined in, wanting to learn more about Mowgli's life.
Whenever Mowgli returned to the wolf pack, he told the other wolves and his animal friends everything he learnt from the humans. Currently, he was talking to some of his animal friends about the humans at the camp.
"Is it true that humans wear extra skins?" Kichi spoke. She was a Red Panda with reddish orange fur and a lovely striped tail. Mowgli had saved her from the river, and they became close friends. Sometimes, she joined Mowgli with his lessons with Baloo.
"It's true." The Man-Cub replied. "They wore all sorts of skins when I was visiting the camp." "They had all kinds of colors like brown, pink, blue and even green." He added. "They also use different kinds of tools like combs, radios, stoves..." He listed out some human tools.
"What were the humans like?" Bhoot asked, his curiosity growing. "They were kind to me..." Mowgli replied. "They taught me all sorts of things like letters and words...how to read and write..."
"I made friends with the human-cubs there." He added. "There were three girl-cubs, just my age." "Girl-Cubs?" Kichi asked. "Shanti, Lindy and Cassie." Mowgli replied, with a blush on their cheeks. "I've been spending some time with them during my visits."
Leela giggled when she saw the blush on the Man-Cub's face. "Mowgli, your face is red." She pointed out. Mowgli quickly covered his cheeks with his hands to hide his embarrassment. "It would seem my brother has gotten himself three mates..." Grey Brother chuckled.
"Grey Brother!" Mowgli exclaimed, his face growing redder. "Mowgli's got three sweethearts! Mowgli's got three sweethearts!" Akru, Sura and Bhoot chanted in amusement. Mowgli could only groan and hug his legs closer as his animal friends laughed.
Lying on a branch of a tree, Bagheera watched the scene with amusement. He had been accompanying Mowgli to visit the human camp but remained hidden while he watched. He had rather intrigued by the lessons Mowgli had learnt at the human camp and was proud to see that he also shared some of the lessons he learnt from Baloo.
"Skree! Skree!" Chil called out as he flew over the group, getting their attention. "Friends! A Council is being held!" He cried. "Head over to Council Rock at once!" "Well, I have to get going now!" Kichi replied. "See you soon, Mowgli!"
"See you!" Mowgli waved as Kichi climbed up a tree and bounded away. "Come, wolf cubs!" Bagheera called. "Let us go to Council Rock!" Mowgli and the wolves bounded away as Bagheera bounded through the branches of the trees, on their way to Council Rock.
(At Council Rock...)
The wolves gathered at Council Rock, with Akela standing on top as usual. Mowgli sat beside his wolf family while Bagheera sat nearby with Baloo. "Brothers, Sisters!" The Lone Wolf called. "We have gathered her to discuss a matter of great importance!"
The wolves murmured amongst themselves. Mowgli noticed Bhoot and Leela sitting with their familes but he also saw Phaona and his goons sitting behind them. The latter flashed him an arrogant grin, making Mowgli scoot closer to Mother Wolf.
"As you know, the humans have camped in our domain for 7 days now." Akela explained. "Mowgli has been in contact with them through that time and he has told us many things during his visits." The latter nodded with a proud smile.
"Now...Baloo, Bagheera and I have been discussing this matter over and over again and...we finally made a decision." The Lone-Wolf replied. "Mowgli, step forward." The Man-Cub tensed a bit but slowly approached the Council Rock. He could hear the wolves murmuring, and Phaona's gang snickering.
"Mowgli...I believe it is time..." The latter grew nervous, was he being banished from the pack. "It is time for us to meet your human friends." Mowgli's eyes widened as he looked up at Akela and silence fell over the Council Rock.
"Mowgli, the pack is ready to meet with the humans." Akela repeated loud and clear. At once, there was a great uproar, particularly among the younger wolves. "Akela, you can't be serious!" Phaona exclaimed.
"You want to bring more humans into the pack?!" Another young wolf added. The other wolves murmured in agreement. "I understand you have doubts in this." Akela replied. "However, I have seriously considered this matter and I believe the humans could join us."
"For too long, we have been hidden away from Man because we feared them." The Lone-Wolf added. "Too long, Man has treated us with suspicious and fear." "Perhaps, it is time for that to end." Akela explained. "That is why, by meeting with the Man-Pack, we can show them that we are not savage beasts but noble creatures who respect their fellow creatures."
"Mowgli, can you pass on the message to the Man-Pack and invite them to Council Rock tonight?" The Lone-Wolf asked the latter who grinned. "Yes!" He exclaimed. "Yes! I will!" With that, he turned and raced off. "I'll tell them!" He called out.
The rest of the pack murmured amongst themselves. Mowgli's wolf family were especially excited. "Do you think the humans will accept us?" Akru asked. "Don't worry, cubs." Raksha assured her sons. "I believe the Man-Pack are not dangerous." "If they can accept Mowgli, they will accept us." She added.
(Back at the Human Camp)
Cassie was lost in thought, thinking about Mowgli. After a week, Mowgli had become a frequent visitor to their camp. He was a quick learner, able to pick up human words with ease and understand human speech.
He also enjoyed reading. Ever since her mother taught him to read, he had began to read the many books in her tent. He especially enjoyed reading fables about animals. Everyone began to look forward to Mowgli's visits and they enjoyed his company, particularly herself and the other girls.
"Hey, Cassie!" The latter turned to her friends, Lindy and Shanti approached her. "Hey, guys..." She replied as her friends sat by her. "Thinking about Mowgli again...?" Shanti asked with a smile.
Cassie nodded with a shy smile and a blush. "Yes..." She admitted. "I have..." Lindy giggled. "Ever since he first came to our camp, you haven't stopped thinking about him." She pointed out. Cassie pouted a bit. "So...what about you two?" She asked.
Lindy and Shanti grew red in embarrassment. "W-What are you t-talking about?" Shanti asked, trying to hide her blush. "Y-Y-Yeah...we're not thinking about him..." Lindy added, shyly. "Don't deny it." Cassie replied with a smirk. "I know you two have been thinking about him too..."
"Well...I have been...thinking about the time...he kissed my hand..." Lindy admitted with a blush. "I'll never...find another...dance partner like him..." Shanti added, blushing as well. Cassie smiled. "You know...I don't mind sharing him...if you like." She suggested.
Both girls looked at her in surprise. "I know you two like Mowgli just as much as I do." She added. "We can all share him." "Really?" Lindy asked, her face red. She had heard of stories of multiple women in love with one man but never believed them.
"Are you sure...?" Shanti asked, a bit excited. "What will our parents say?" "Well, we'll come to that when we are ready..." Cassie replied, with a mischievous wink. "For now, let's just keep this between the three of us."
"Girls!" Another voice called out and the girls looked up. To their surprise and joy, they found Mowgli looking down at them from a branch of a tree. "Mowgli!" The girls called out as the latter landed gracefully down before them.
"Girls! I have news!" Mowgli exclaimed in excitement. "News from my wolf family!" The girls were taken aback. "Mowgli, calm down!" Lindy told him. "What's got you so excited?" The Man-Cub took a deep breath to calm down before he spoke.
"Girls...I have news from the wolves." Mowgli explained. "They want you and your families to come to Council Rock tonight!" The girls' eyes widened in shock. "You want us to what?" Cassie asked.
"I want you to meet my wolf family!" Mowgli replied. "Akela, the pack leader has agreed to meet all of you!" The girls could hardly believe it. "Us, invited to a wolf pack?!" Cassie exclaimed in excitement.
"Yes!" Mowgli replied. "The whole wolf pack wants to meet you!" He added. "You can meet my matri, patri and my brothers!" The girls were at a loss of words. "Mowgli...are you sure?" Lindy asked.
Mowgli nodded. "The wolves know that you and your families are not a threat." He replied. "They will not harm you." "I really want you to meet them." He added. The girls looked at each other, part excited and part nervous. What on earth will their parents say?
(Soon...)
"You want us to meet the wolf pack?" Jacob asked in shock as he and the other parents stared at Mowgli and the girls in stunned silence. The Man-Cub nodded. "The wolves all want to meet you." He replied.
"Cool!" Davy squealed. "I wanna meet the wolves!" "Me too! Me too!" Saavni added. "Isn't it exciting, Rikki?" "You bet!" The Mongoose chittered in excitement. Ever since the kids picked up the Master Words from Mowgli, she and Davy could converse with him with ease.
"Hold on, children!" Evelyn spoke up, a look of worry on her face. "Mowgli...are you certain about this?" She asked. "Yes, Miss Evelyn." The latter replied. "The wolves understand that you all mean them no harm." He explained. "They want to meet the humans who taught me so much."
The adults looked at one another in concern. Would they really be welcomed or was it just a trap. After what seemed like an eternity, Alex spoke up. "I believe we should go." Everyone looked at him in shock. "Alex...are you sure?" Jacob asked his brother.
"Of course." Alex replied. "Wolves are not dangerous; if they had wanted to hurt us, they would have done it already." "Besides, Mowgli has been raised by wolves since he was a baby." He added. "This proves that the wolves are at least friendly or tolerant of humans." "I say, we should meet them." He added.
Everyone was silent, unsure how to reply. "I can't believe I am saying this..." Kabir added. "but, maybe we should meet the wolves." "If Mowgli says they mean us know harm..." He explained. "then I believe him." "So do I..." Mohan joined in. "I am curious to meet your family, Mowgli."
Sean stroked his beard. "I never thought I would say this..." He muttered. "Alright, I say we should meet Mowgli's family." "Mother always said we should make friends with the locals...no matter where we are or what they be..." He added with a chuckle.
Evelyn cleared her throat. "If it's alright with my husband...then it's alright with me." She added. "So will I." Arya added. "Lydia, what about you?" The latter was silent for a bit, before she sighed. "Well...I guess it wouldn't hurt..." She replied
Finally, only Messua was left. "Messua, what about you?" Lydia asked. The former looked at Mowgli in concern "Mowgli...are you sure about this?" She asked him. The Man-Cub nodded. "Yes, Messua..." He replied. "You all have my word that no harm will happen to any of you."
Messua fell silent before she smiled and nodded. "Very well...I know you won't let anything happen to us." She replied. Mowgli's face broke out into a smile. "So, when can we go?!" Davy asked in excitement. "Yeah, Mo!" Rikki chittered. "When's the meeting at?"
"Tonight..." Mowgli replied with a smile.