Маугли

           Atlasttherewereonlythreeeggsleft,andRikki-tikkibegantochuckletohimself,whenheheardDarzee’swifescreaming:

           "Rikki-tikki,IledNagainatowardthehouse,andshehasgoneintotheveranda,and—oh,comequickly—shemeanskilling!"

           Rikki-tikkismashedtwoeggs,andtumbledbackwarddownthemelon-bedwiththethirdegginhismouth,andscuttledtotheverandaashardashecouldputfoottotheground.Teddyandhismotherandfatherwerethereatearlybreakfast,butRikki-tikkisawthattheywerenoteatinganything.Theysatstone-still,andtheirfaceswerewhite.NagainawascoileduponthemattingbyTeddy’schair,withineasystrikingdistanceofTeddy’sbareleg,andshewasswayingtoandfro,singingasongoftriumph.

           "SonofthebigmanthatkilledNag,"shehissed,"staystill.Iamnotreadyyet.Waitalittle.Keepverystill,allyouthree!IfyoumoveIstrike,andifyoudonotmoveIstrike.Oh,foolishpeople,whokilledmyNag!"

           Teddy’seyeswerefixedonhisfather,andallhisfathercoulddowastowhisper,"Sitstill,Teddy.Youmustn’tmove.Teddy,keepstill."

           ThenRikki-tikkicameupandcried,"Turnround,Nagaina.Turnandfight!"

           "Allingoodtime,"saidshe,withoutmovinghereyes."Iwillsettlemyaccountwithyoupresently.Lookatyourfriends,Rikki-tikki.Theyarestillandwhite.Theyareafraid.Theydarenotmove,andifyoucomeastepnearerIstrike."

           "Lookatyoureggs,"saidRikki-tikki,"inthemelonbednearthewall.