The Jungle Book: Chapter 16
By: jungleboy69
Chapter 16: Meeting the Pack
It was an exciting evening for Cassie. Ever since, Mowgli had told them news about the Council tonight, the whole camp was in a state of activity. The adults were anxious; they didn't know what to do or what would happen.
The kids were especially excited, they had never met with a wolf pack before. They had only seen wolves on television or in books so this was a new thing for them. They helped their families to pack their tents and gear while chatting away excitedly about tonight.
When evening came, the entire camp was taken down and everyone was ready to head to the Council Rock. "Everyone present and accounted?" Alex called out. "We are." Sean replied, holding onto his wife's hand on one hand and his daughter's on the other hand.
"Where is Mowgli?" Messua asked. "He says he will be back at sunset." Cassie replied. "Maybe, we can wait for a little while longer." "I'm here!" A voice called out as Mowgli emerged from the bushes and appeared before them.
"Mowgli, you're here!" Cassie exclaimed in joy. "We were worried you wouldn't show up!" The Man-Cub smiled. "I was making sure that everything is ready for you." "How are you all feeling?" He asked.
The families looked at one another. "To be honest...a bit excited..." Evelyn replied with a smile. "And a bit nervous..." Mowgli nodded in understanding. "Do not worry, Miss Evelyn." He replied. "I already give you my word, no harm will happen to you."
"We understand, Mowgli." Kabir pointed out. "Still, we have to be careful." "Is there anything we need to know?" He asked. "All you need to do is show respect to the Free-People." Mowgli replied. "Besides, I taught you all the Master Words, you will be safe from harm."
"So, how do you get to this...Council Rock?" Jacob asked. "No need to worry." Mowgli replied. "Chil will show us the way." "Chil?" Saavni asked in confusion. "Who's Chil?" "Skree! Skree!" A loud screeching call came from above.
Everyone looked up and to their amazement, they saw a large Brahminy Kite soaring above them. "Greetings, humans!" He called. "I have come to guide you to Council Rock!" "The pack is expecting you!" He called out.
The adults were amazed. "Incredible...a Brahminy Kite!" Alex exclaimed. "They are the largest and most powerful birds in all of India!" Mowgli smiled. "This is Chil, he is the messenger for the Wolf Pack." He explained.
"Well...ready to meet my family?" He asked. Cassie took his hand. "Lead the way, Mowgli!" She replied eagerly. The rest of the human families smiled as they began to make their way to the Seeonee Hills.
(After a while...)
It was a rather long walk to the Seeonee Hills but with the help of Mowgli and Chil guiding them from above, they made their way to the thick jungle. To pass the time, they decided to talk amongst themselves.
"I never been so nervous before in my life..." Sean replied, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Reminds me of the time I was knighted by the Queen of England." Evelyn smiled and patted her husband's shoulder.
"So, Mowgli..." Cassie asked. "Why was it like living in a wolf pack?" Mowgli smiled. "It is great!" He replied. "My brothers and I would practice our wrestling and Baloo and Bagheera are excellent teachers."
"Who are Baloo and Bagheera?" Davy asked in curiosity. "You will meet them soon." Mowgli replied with a smile. "Skree!" Chil called out. "We have arrived, my friends!" The human families were now more excited than ever.
"We are here!" Mowgli cheered excitedly. "Are we sure we are doing the right thing?" Lydia asked her husband nervously. "Now..now...calm down, dear." Jacob replied. "Remember the Master Words Mowgli taught us." He told her. "They can protect us...I hope..."
Mowgli instantly dropped down on all fours and bounded off. "Come on!" He called. "It's this way!" "Mowgli, wait up!" Cassie called as she hurried after him. "Woah, wait for the rest of us!" Alex called as everyone followed close behind.
Mowgli bounded off, leading the group deeper into the forest. The others followed as best as they could. "We're here!" The Man-Cub replied, stopping at some rocky cliffs. Cassie was the first to arrive. "Mowgli, slow down...!" She breathed. "We aren't...as...fast..."
She stopped as the others arrived. "Cassie, what's going on?" Lindy asked before everyone noticed where they were and they all gasped. Before them, were dens on the side of the rocky cliffs and wolves staring at them...a whole pack of them.
The human familes could only gape wide-eyed while Mowgli smiled. "This is it!" He exclaimed, getting their attention. "Everyone, this is the Seeonee Wolf Pack!" "Mowgli!" The latter turned to see Akru, Sura and Bhoot rushing before them.
Soon, Mowgli was tackled and licked all over by his wolf friends while the human families looked on in stunned shock. "Guys, stop!" The Man-Cub laughed. "It's alright! I'm fine!" "We were worried about you, Mowgli!" Akru added, licking him. "Yeah, what took you so long?" Sura asked him.
"I was waiting for my friends." The Man-Cub replied, gesturing to the human families who just stood there, looking stunned at the sight. It was then the young wolves saw them and they were just as surprised as the humans were.
"Are those the humans?" Akru asked in wonder. Mowgli nodded before he turned to the human families. "Everyone, these are my brothers; Grey Brother, Akru and Sura." He introduced. "And the little white cub is my best friend, Bhoot!"
The human families were beyond amazed; they were in the midst of a wolf pack and Mowgli was treating them as if they were family. Cassie took a deep breath and to her family's shock, stepped forward to the wolves. "Cassie...what are you doing?" Lydia asked in shock and worry.
Cassie just smiled at the wolves and spoke clearly. "We are of one blood, ye and I!" The wolves were amazed; only Mowgli could know the Master Words. Grey Brother stepped forward. "It is an honor to meet you." He spoke. "Welcome to our home."
The human families relaxed a bit, still a little nervous but glad they were accepted. "Nice to meet you." Cassie replied to the wolf. "I'm Cassie...Cassie Andrews..." Seeing their friend speaking to the wolf, the other kids stepped forward. "We be of one blood, ye and I!" They spoke in unison.
The wolves were amazed. "This is Shanti and Lindy." Cassie introduced them. "They are my best friends." "And this is my little brother, Davy and his friend Saavni." She added. "I'm Grey Brother, eldest of Vihaan and Raksha's cubs." The wolf spoke up. "You already met my brothers, Akru and Sura."
The two other wolves stepped forward and sniffed at the girls who giggled. "You three are so handsome..." Shanti replied as she stroked Akru and Sura. The wolves puffed their chest with pride.
Bhoot grew excited and approached them. "Hi there!" The albino wolf cub spoke cheerfully. "Nice to meet you!" The three girls saw the little cub and squealed. "Cute!" At once, Bhoot was cuddled and petted by the three girls.
"He is so adorable~!" Lindy squealed, tickling the cub on the belly. Bhoot yipped and giggled in delight. "Y-You're tickling m-m-me~!" Everyone smiled at the adorable sight. Davy and Saavni came forward. "We be of one blood, ye and I!" The former replied.
Grey Brother stepped forward and sniffed them. "For young cubs, you both know the Master Words well." He spoke. "Mowgli was the one who taught us." Saavni added. "Thanks to him, I can speak to Rikki." She gestured to the mongoose around her neck who chittered.
"Nice to meet ya!" The mongoose spoke. "Name's Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the greatest snake-fighter the Jungle has ever seen." "Nice to meet you, Rikki." Grey Brother greeted. "Mowgli!" Another voice spoke up.
Everyone turned to see two older wolves approaching them. "Matri! Patri!" Mowgli cried as he walked forward and nuzzled them. "You returned safely, my little frog..." Mother Wolf cooed softly, licking her son's cheek.
"I have..." Mowgli replied. "I brought my human friends, just like I promised." The two wolves looked over at the humans. "So...you are the Man-Pack, my son tells me so much about." Mother Wolf spoke up, before bowing her head at them. "I want to thank you all for looking after my son."
The human adults were surprised and a bit flattered. "It was our pleasure...Miss Wolf..." Alex replied earnestly. "I am Professor Alexander Andrews but you may call me Alex." "I am here with my brother, Jacob and his wife Lydia." He added. "You already met their children, Cassie and Davy."
Mother Wolf nodded. "I see, but please...call me Raksha." She replied. "May I ask, who are the rest of you?" "Well, I am Sean O'Neil." The latter spoke up. "This is my wife, Evelyn and you already met my daughter, Lindy."
"This is Kabir and Mohan and their wives, Arya and Messua." Alex gestured to the Hindu families. "They, along with families have joined us on our expedition." "Pleased to meet you." Mohan replied with a bow. "Thank you for welcoming us here."
Father Wolf stepped forward. "I never would have though humans would come to our domain." He spoke up. "Mowgli has been telling us so much about you." "He has?" Lindy asked in surprise. "Indeed." Father Wolf replied. "He especially talks about your daughters the most."
The human parents smiled while the kids played with the cubs. They had just arrived and already they were being treated like members of the pack. Little did they know, that tonight will be a special night for them all