Dear Diary,
Today had been an interesting day. After I bravely slaughtered the great tiger Shere Khan, a hunter named Buldeo confronted me. He began calling me Great King; I was so confused but I liked the new name so I chuckled along with it. He ushered me towards a village; when I took my first step in, the villagers started shooting me and it was like hell. However, a random lady called Messua was nice to me, so I decided not to torment the village. I wish I had a better day though. I will never set foot in that village ever again.
Bye for now
Mowgli
In this passage from "The Jungle Book" Mowgli has been working as a buffalo herd-boy for the village. He just killed the tiger, Shere Khan, and has been confronted by the hunter, Buldeo.
Buldeo, who was still stooping over Shere Khan's head, found himself sprawling on the grass, with a grey wolf standing over him, While Mowgli went on skinning as though he were alone in all of India.
"Ye-es,"he said, between his teeth. "Thou art altogether right, Buldeo. Thou wilt never give me one anna of the reward. There is an old war between this lame tiger and myself-a very old war- and I have won."
To do Buldeo justice, if he had been ten years younger he would have taken his chance with Akela had he met the wolf in the woods, but a wolf who obeyed the orders of this boy who had private wars with man-eating tigers was not a common animal. It was sorcery, magic of the worst kind, thought Buldeo, and he wondered whether the amulet round his neck would protect him. He lay as still as still, expecting every minute to see Mowgli tum into a tiger, too.
Maharaj! Great King, "he said at last, in a husky whisper.
Yes," said Mowgli, without turning his head, chuckling a little.
1 am an old man. I did not know that thou wast anything more than a herd-boy. May l rise up and go away, or will thy servant tear me to pieces?"
Go, and peace go wthe ith thee. Only, another time do not meddle with my game. Let him go, Akela."
Buldeo hobbled away to the village as fast as he could, looking back over his shoulder in case Mowgli should change into something terrible. When he got to the village he told a tale of magic and enchantment and sorcery that made the priest look very grave.
Mowgli went on with his work, but t was very nearly twilight before he and the wolves had drawn the great gay skin clear of the body.
"Now we must hide this and take the buffaloes home! Help me to herd them, Akela."
The herd rounded up in the misty twilight, and when they got near the village Mowgli saw lights and heard the conches and bells in the temple blowing and banding. Half the village seemed lo be waiting for him by the gate. "That is because l have killed Shere Khan," he said to himself; but a shower of stones whistled about his ears, and the villagers shouted: "Sorceror! Wolf's brat! Jungle-demon! Go away! Get hence quickly, or the priest will turn thee into a wolf again. Shoot, Buldeo, shoot!
The old tower musket went off with a bang, and a young buffalo bellowed In pain.
"More sorcery shouted the villagers. "He can turn bullets. Buldeo, that was thy buffalo."
"Now what is this?" said Mowgli, bewildered, as the stones flew thicker.
They are not unlike the Pack, these brothers of thine, "said Akela, sitting down composedly. "It is in my head that, if bullets mean anything, they would cast the out."
Wolf! Wolf's cub! Go away!" shouted the priest, waving a sprig of the sacred tulsi plant.
-Again? Last time it was because l was a man. This time it is because I am a wolf. Let us go, Akela."
A woman - it was Messua - ran across to the herd, and cried: "Oh, my son, my son! They say thou art a sorcerer who can turn himself into a beast at will. I do not believe, but go away or they will kill thee. Buldeo says thou art a wizard, but I know thou hast avenged Nathoo's death."
Come back, Messua!" shouted the crowd. "Come back, or we will stone thee."
Mowgli laughed a short ugly laugh, for a stone had hit him in the mouth. "Run back, Messua. This is one of the foolish tales they tell under the big tree at dusk. I have at least paid for thy son's life. Farewell; and run quickly, for l shall send the herd in more swiftly than their brickbats. l am no wizard, Messua. Farewell"
"Now, once more, Akela, "he cried. "Bring the herd."
The buffaloes were anxious enough to get to the village. They hardly needed Akela's yell, but charged through the gate like a whirlwind, scattering the crowd right and left.
“Keep count! shouted Mowgli, scornfully. "It may be that I have stolen one of them. Keep count. for l will do your herding no more. Fare you well, children of men, and thank Messua that I do not come In with my wolves and hunt you up and down your street"
He turned on his heel and walked away with the Lone Wolf, and as he looked up at he stars he felt happy. "No more sleeping in traps for me, Akela. Let us get Shere Khan's shin and go away. No; we will not hurt the village, for Messua was kind to me.
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