The Jungle Book

The Jungle Book is a compilation of tales and verses by Rudyard Kipling, a British author. It was initially published in 1894. Kipling made history in 1907 by being the first British writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. His children’s books are considered timeless classics.

Containing seven stories, each with an accompanying poem, The Jungle Book presents moral lessons through the interactions of children and animals, who possess human-like abilities to think and communicate. The setting for these tales is the Indian Jungle.

Recommended for: Readers of all ages, from children to adults, who enjoy classic adventure stories, tales of the natural world, and imaginative depictions of the animal kingdom. The Jungle Book offers an engaging exploration of moral themes and the relationships between humans and the natural environment.

You will:

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of the Indian jungle and its diverse inhabitants, both animal and human.
Experience the captivating adventures of Mowgli, the human child raised by wolves, as he navigates the challenges and wonders of life in the wild.
Gain insight into the intricate social structures and survival instincts of the animal characters, who possess distinct personalities and human-like abilities.
Discover the timeless lessons of courage, loyalty, and the delicate balance between civilized society and the untamed natural order.
Appreciate the richly woven tapestry of Rudyard Kipling’s storytelling, which seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, folklore, and philosophical reflection.
Explore the themes of identity, belonging, and the power of community, as Mowgli’s journey traverses the boundaries between the human and animal worlds.
Engage with the enduring appeal of classic literature that has captivated generations of readers with its blend of adventure, moral teachings, and imaginative exploration.
Develop a deeper understanding of the natural world and the complex relationships that exist between humans and the environment.
Appreciate the lasting cultural impact of The Jungle Book, which has inspired numerous adaptations in film, television, and other media.

Plot

Chapter 1. Mowgli’s Brothers (Proceeded by the poem Hunting Song of the Seeonee Pack)

In an Indian jungle, a small child is separated from his parents when Tiger Shere Khan attacks them, and they try to run away from him. A wolf family found the boy and adopt him under the direction of the she-wolf called Raksha. Then, the wolves call him “Mowgli” and he learns all the skills needed to survive in the jungle. After some time, like all wolf children, he is presented to the entire pack to be accepted. Baloo the bear and Bagheera the black panther helps Mowgli to become taken in the pack of wolves. But as he grows up becomes very clear that he is a human. So, Mowgli leaves the jungle.

Chapter 2. Kaa’s Hunting (Proceeded by the poem Road Song of the Bandar Log)

The second narrative is about some events of the first story. Mowgli’s friends Baloo and Bagheera have taught him the law of the jungle and how to face some risks. When the lawless Bandar Log monkeys abducted Mowgli, he can test his acquired skills. Baloo and Bagheera come to his rescue, but they need Kaa’s help to defeat the monkeys. Kaa is the Python.

Chapter 3. Tiger! Tiger! (Proceed by the poem Mowgli’s Song)

The third story tells how Mowgli returns to the village and must hardly learn to communicate and act according to people. His wolf brothers warn Mowgli that Shere Khan, the tiger, is following him again. Mowgli uses the buffaloes to trample the tiger. But after his victory over the archenemy, witchery is attributed to him by humans, and he is expelled from the village. Mowgli returns to the jungle to live with his wolf brothers, with whom he grew up.

Chapter 4. The White Seal (Proceeded by the poem Lukannon)

The story of Kotick, a small white seal in the northern Pacific, is unrelated to the other stories in the book. Kotick saws how islanders kill seals. So, Kotick tries for years to find a new place where they can be safe. Finally, Kotick arrives at a place where humans have never been and offer a paradise for seals. Then, he returned home and induced the other seals to follow him to the new land where they can live safe.

Chapter 5. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (Proceeded by the poem Darzee’s Chant)

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is a small mongoose, who will end up in the garden of an English family in India. Hence, he settled there and saved the family several times from dangerous snake attacks.

Chapter 6. Toomai of the Elephants (Proceeded by the poem Shiv and the Grasshopper)

In the Garo Hills, Toomai a ten-year-old boy goes with his father to catch and train elephants. The greatest desire of Toomai is to become an elephant trapper. But people told him that to become a catcher he must see the elephant dance. Even though nobody has ever seen this dance. However, one night he rides on his father’s elephant into the jungle and witnesses this extraordinary event.

Chapter 7. Her Majesty’s Service (Proceeded by the poem Parade Song of the Camp Animals)

The night before a military parade, a soldier hears the talking animals.

Adaptations

The book had different film adaptations since 1940.

Licensing

Rudyard Kipling. The Jungle Book. Publisher: The Century Co. (London), 1894. Originally published in 1894. This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago. Text from Wikisource: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Jungle_Book_(Century_edition).
This digital edition is provided by Ebooks-net in 2024 under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) license. The full text of the license is available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.