Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

Rikki-tikki-tavi

Rudyard Kipling

About the Author Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) was born in Bombay, SCAN FOR India, to English parents. Although he moved to MULTIMEDIA England when he was five, Kipling remained attached to the land of his birth. In 1882, he returned to India and began writing the stories that would make him famous. His many popular books of stories and poems include The Jungle Book and Kim. In 1907, Kipling became the first English writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

BACKGROUND “Rikki-tikki-tavi” is a story from The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. In this story, a brave mongoose faces a family of snakes known as Indian cobras. A cobra can reach six feet in length and six inches around. Cobras feed on small animals. Just before striking, a cobra lifts its body and forms a hood from the ribs near its head. The mongoose is a brown, furry animal about 15 inches long—the perfect size for a cobra’s meal. However, the fast, fierce mongoose usually wins a battle with a cobra.

1 his is the story of the great war that Rikki-tikki-tavi fought, T single-handed, through the bathrooms of the big bungalow NOTES in Segowlee cantonment.1 Darzee, the tailorbird, helped him, and Chuchundra the muskrat, who never comes out into the middle of the floor, but always creeps round by the wall, gave him advice; but Rikki-tikki did the real fighting. 2 He was a mongoose, rather like a little cat in his fur and his tail,

© Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. or its affiliates. Inc., Education, © Pearson but quite like a weasel in his head and his habits. His eyes and the end of his restless nose were pink; he could scratch himself anywhere

1. Segowlee cantonment (see GOW lee kan TON muhnt) living quarters for British troops in Segowlee, India.

UNIT 5 Independent Learning • Rikki-tikki-tavi IL8 IL9 NOTES

UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 garden path,verydraggled When herevived, hewaslyinginthehotsunonmiddleofa wisp ofgrassfloatingthere, andclungtoittillhelosthissenses. kicking andclucking,downaroadside ditch.Hefoundalittle where helivedwithhisfatherandmother, andcarriedhim, scuttled through thelonggrasswas:“Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!” fluff uphistailtillitlookedlikeabottlebrush, andhiswarcryashe he pleased,withanyleg,front orback,thathechosetouse;could 2. roots. Thenhefeltbetter. and satinthesunshinefluffed uphisfurtomakeitdrythe immensely, andwhenitwasfinishedhewentoutintotheveranda to eat.” run inandoutofthehouse alldaylong.Let’sgivehimsomething doesn’t pickhimupbythetail,ortrytoput inacage,he’ll creature! Isupposehe’ssotamebecausewe’vebeenkindtohim.” rubbing hisnose. snuffed athisear, andclimbeddowntothefloor, where hesat making friends.” shoulder. fur inorder, scratchedhimself, andjumpedonthesmallboy’s it wasnotgoodtoeat,ranallround thetable,satupandputhis was atrue mongoose.Helookedatthecottonwool,decidedthat of allthemongoosefamilyis“Runandfindout”;Rikki-tikki because heiseatenupfrom nosetotailwithcuriosity. Themotto what he’lldo.” moved intothebungalow);“don’tfrightenhim,andwe’llsee and heopenedhiseyessneezed. choked; sotheywrappedhimincottonwool,andwarmedhim, between hisfingerandthumbsaidhewasnotdeadbuthalf he isn’treally dead.” “Here’s adeadmongoose.Let’shavefuneral.”

draggled One day, ahighsummerfloodwashedhimoutoftheburrow They gavehimalittlepieceofrawmeat.Rikki-tikki likedit “All mongoosesare likethat,” saidherhusband.“IfTeddy “Good gracious,”saidTeddy’s mother, “andthat’sawild Rikki-tikki lookeddownbetweentheboy’scollarandneck, “Ouch! He’sticklingundermychin,”saidTeddy. “Don’t befrightened,Teddy,” saidhisfather. “That’shiswayof It isthehardest thinginthe worldtofrightenamongoose, “Now,” saidthebigman(hewasanEnglishmanwhohadjust They tookhimintothehouse,andabigmanpickedup “No,” saidhismother, “let’stakehiminanddryhim.Perhaps

(DRAG uhld) adj. uhld) (DRAG wet and dirty. 2 indeed,andasmallboywassaying,

© Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. © Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 answering, forfrom thethickgrassatfootof bushthere here. WhoisNag?” out ofthenestyesterday andNagatehim.” the rimandcried. cotton anddownyfluff. Thenestswayedtoandfro, astheysaton them uptheedgeswithfibers,andhadfilled hollowwith beautiful nestbypullingtwobigleavestogetherandstitching sorrowful voicesinathornbush. and downthegarden, snuffing here andthere tillheheard very his tailgrew bottlebrushy atthethoughtofit,andhescuttledup licked hislips.“Thisisasplendidhuntingground,” hesaid,and trees, clumpsofbamboos, andthicketsofhighgrass.Rikki-tikki as bigsummerhousesofMarshalNielroses, limeandorange be seen.Itwasalarge garden, onlyhalf cultivated,withbushes, across Englishmen. at Segowlee)hadcarefully toldRikkiwhattodoif everhecame house mother(sheused toliveintheGeneral’s and Rikki-tikki’s be ahousemongoosesomedayandhaverooms torun aboutin, other, becauseeverywell-brought-up mongoosealwayshopesto and someboiledegg;hesatonalltheirlapsoneafterthe veranda ridingonTeddy’s shoulder, andtheygavehimbanana a snakecameintothenurserynow—” with thatlittlebeastthanif hehadabloodhoundtowatchhim.If child.” “He’lldonosuchthing,”saidthefather. “Teddy’s safer pillow. “Idon’tlikethat,”saidTeddy’s mother;“hemaybitethe last thing,tolookattheirboy, andRikki-tikkiwasawakeonthe find outwhatmadeit.Teddy’s motherandfathercamein,the to getupandattendeverynoiseallthrough thenight,and climbed uptoo;buthewasarestless companion,becausehehad lamps were lighted,andwhenTeddy wenttobedRikki-tikki At nightfallheranintoTeddy’s nurserytowatchhowkerosene he climbedupinthebigman’slaptoseehowwritingwasdone. writing table,andburneditontheendofbigman’scigar, for drowned himself inthebathtubs,puthisnoseinto theinkona shall certainlystayandfindout.” to himself, “thanallmyfamilycouldfindoutintheirlives.I Darzee andhiswife onlycowered downinthenestwithout “H’m!” saidRikki-tikki,“thatisverysad—butI amastranger “We are verymiserable,”saidDarzee.“Oneofourbabiesfell “What isthematter?”askedRikki-tikki. It wasDarzee,thetailorbird, andhiswife. Theyhadmadea Then Rikki-tikkiwentoutintothegarden toseewhatwas Early inthemorningRikki-tikkicametoearlybreakfast inthe But Teddy’s motherwouldn’tthinkofanythingsoawful. He spentallthatdayroaming overthehouse.Henearly “There are more thingstofindoutaboutinthishouse,”hesaid UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning NOTES

IL10 IL11 NOTES

UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 expression, whateverthesnakemaybethinkingof. Rikki-tikki withthewickedsnake’seyesthatneverchangetheir exactly asadandeliontuftbalancesinthewind,andhelookedat of himself clearoftheground, hestayedbalancing toandfro five feetlongfrom tonguetotail.Whenhehadlifted onethird head andspread hoodofNag,thebigblackcobra,andhewas back twoclearfeet.Theninchbyoutofthegrassrose upthe came alowhiss—ahorridcoldsoundthatmadeRikki-tikkijump 3. built itoutofreach ofsnakes;anditonlyswayedtofro. could reach toward thenestinthornbush;butDarzeehad jumped clearofthewhiskingtail,leavingNagaina tornandangry. the cobra.Hebit,indeed,butdidnotbitelongenough, andhe one bite;buthewasafraidoftheterriblelashing return stroke of would haveknownthatthenwasthetimetobreak herbackwith almost across herback,andif hehadbeenanoldmongoose and heheard hersavagehiss asthestroke missed.Hecamedown crept upbehindhimashe wastalking,tomakeanendofhim; whizzed bytheheadofNagaina,Nag’swickedwife. Shehad jumped upintheairashighhecouldgo,andjustunderhim birds?” dropped hisheadalittle, and putitononeside. his family;buthewantedtogetRikki-tikkioff hisguard. Sohe mongooses inthegarden meant deathsoonerorlaterforhimand movement inthegrassbehindRikki-tikki.Heknewthat fledglings outofanest?” “marks ornomarks,doyouthinkitisrightfortoeat that too,andatthebottomofhiscoldheart,hewasafraid. mongoose’s businessinlife wastofightandeatsnakes.Nagknew mother hadfedhimondeadones,andheknewthatallagrown time, andthoughRikki-tikkihadnevermetalivecobrabefore, his is impossibleforamongoosetostayfrightenedanylengthof of ahook-and-eyefastening.Hewasafraidfortheminute;butit spectacle markonthebackofitthatlooksexactlylikeeyepart to keepthesunoff Brahmasheslept.Look,andbeafraid!” his markuponallourpeoplewhenthefirstcobraspread hishood

religion. Brahm “Who isNag?”saidhe.“IamNag.Thegreat godBrahm “Wicked, wicked Darzee!”saidNag,lashingupashighhe Rikki-tikki knewbetterthantowastetimeinstaring.He “Behind you!Lookbehindyou!”sangDarzee. “Let ustalk,”hesaid.“You eateggs.WhyshouldnotI Nag wasthinkingtohimself, andwatchingtheleastlittle “Well,” saidRikki-tikki,andhistailbegantofluff upagain, He spread outhishoodmore thanever, andRikki-tikkisawthe

(brahm) alternate spelling of Brahma, the name of the chief god in the Hindu Hindu the in god chief the of name the Brahma, of spelling alternate (brahm) 3 put

© Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. © Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. 34 33 32 people. small thatnobodythinks ofhim,andsohedoesthemore harmto earth; andhisbiteisasdangerous asthecobra’s.But heisso Karait, thedustybrown snakelingthatliesforchoiceonthedusty the dust,andatinyvoicesaid:“Becareful. Iamdeath!”Itwas came running downthepath, Rikki-tikkiwasready to bepetted. from behind.Itgavehimconfidenceinhimself, andwhenTeddy the more pleasedtothinkthathehadmanagedescapeablow Rikki-tikki knewhewasayoungmongoose,and itmadehimall that makesthingsmuchmore wonderfulthananymagicherb. as noeyecanfollowthemotionofasnake’sheadwhenitstrikes, quickness offoot—snake’sblowagainstmongoose’sjump—and is nottrue. Thevictoryisonlyamatterofquicknesseyeand get bitten,heruns off andeatssomeherbthatcures him.That say thatwhenthemongoosefightssnakeandhappensto house, andsatdowntothink.Itwasaseriousmatterforhim. two snakesatonce.Sohetrotted off tothegravelpathnear care tofollowthem,forhe didnotfeelsure thathecouldmanage or givesanysignofwhatitmeanstodonext.Rikki-tikkididnot the grass.Whenasnakemissesitsstroke, itneversaysanything chattered withrage.ButNag andNagainahaddisappeared into and hindlegslikealittlekangaroo, andlookedallround him,and mongoose’s eyesgrow red, heisangry),andsatbackonhistail But justasTeddy wasstooping,somethingflinched alittlein If youread theoldbooks of naturalhistory, youwillfindthey Rikki-tikki felthiseyesgrowing red andhot(whena UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning NOTES

IL12 IL13 NOTES

UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning 39 38 37 36 35 that hewasaprovidence, that hehadsavedTeddy from death,andTeddy’s fathersaid mother pickedhimupfrom thedustandhuggedhim,crying that?” thoughtRikki-tikki.“Ihavesettleditall”;andthenTeddy’s while Teddy’s fatherbeatthedeadKarait.“Whatisuseof ready, hemustkeephimself thin. slow mongoose,andif he wantedallhisstrength andquickness family atdinner, whenheremembered thatafullmealmakes was justgoingtoeathimupfrom thetail,aftercustomofhis hold, androlled away. Thatbiteparalyzed Karait,andRikki-tikki between hisfore legs,bitten ashighupthebackhecouldget had sprung, jumpedonthesnake’sback,dropped hisheadfar came up,Karaithadlungedoutoncetoofar, andRikki-tikki mother. Hisfatherranoutwithastick,butbythetimehe is killingasnake”;andRikki-tikkiheard ascream from Teddy’s followed hisheelsclose. of hisshoulder, andhehadtojumpoverthebody, andthehead in, butthewickedlittledustygrayheadlashedwithinafraction hold. Karaitstruck out.Rikkijumpedsidewaysandtriedtorun all red, andherocked backandforth,lookingfora goodplaceto stroke inhiseyeorlip.ButRikkididnotknow:eyeswere Rikki bithimclosetothebackofhead,hewouldgetreturn Nag, forKaraitissosmall,andcanturnquickly, thatunless known, hewasdoingamuchmore dangerous thing thanfighting dealing withsnakesthisisanadvantage.IfRikki-tikkihadonly a gaitthatyoucanflyoff from itatanyangleyouplease; andin from hisfamily. Itlooksveryfunny, butitissoperfectlybalanced with thepeculiarrocking, swayingmotionthathehadinherited 4. or scratch,butassoon Teddy wasasleephewentoff for sleeping underhischin.Rikki-tikkiwastoowell bred tobite cry of“Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!” get red from timetotime,andhewouldgooff intohislongwar by Teddy’s mother, andto sitonTeddy’s shoulder, hiseyeswould Nagaina, andthoughitwasverypleasanttobe patted andpetted times overwithnicethings;butheremembered Nagand wineglasses onthetable,hemighthavestuffed himself three enjoying himself. have pettedTeddy forplayinginthedust.Rikkiwasthoroughly course, hedidnotunderstand.Teddy’s mothermightjustaswell eyes. Rikki-tikkiwasratheramusedatallthefuss,which,of

a providence He wentawayforadustbathunderthecastor-oil bushes, Teddy shoutedtothehouse:“Oh,lookhere! Ourmongoose eyesgrew red again,andhedanceduptoKarait Rikki-tikki’s Teddy carriedhimoff tobed,andinsistedonRikki-tikki That night,atdinner, walking toandfro amongthe

(PROV uh duhns) uh n. (PROV 4 andTeddy lookedonwithbigscared a godsend; a valuable gift. avaluable agodsend;

© Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. © Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 40 crawling intothebathroom sluice. windowpane—the dryscratchofasnake’sscalesonbrickwork. the world—anoiseasfaintthatofawaspwalkingon he thoughtcouldjustcatchthefaintestscratch-scratchin you anything.Can’thear,Rikki-tikki?” enough torun outintothemiddleofroom. H’sh!Imustn’ttell whiskers. “Iamaverypoorman,”hesobbed.neverhadspirit bite you!” to Chuainthegarden.” then hestopped. the garden, andIknowyoudon’tgothere.” won’t mistakemeforyousomedarknight?” more sorrowfully thanever. “AndhowamItobesure thatNag scornfully. “Rikki-tikki, don’tkillme!” middle oftheroom. Buthenevergetsthere. cheeps allthenight,tryingtomakeuphismindrun intothe Chuchundra isabrokenhearted littlebeast.Hewhimpersand against Chuchundrathemuskrat,creeping around bythewall. his nightlywalkround thehouse,andindarkheranup 5. the people?”saidNag. we willhuntforRikki-tikkitogether.” killed Karaitisthefirstonetobite.Thencomeout andtellme, our ownagain.Goinquietly, andremember thatthebigmanwho husband, “hewillhavetogoaway, andthenthegarden willbe together outsideinthemoonlight. where thebathisput,heheard NagandNagainawhispering for thebathwater, andas Rikki-tikkistoleinbythemasonrycurb smooth plasterwallthere wasabrickpulledouttomakesluice and thentoTeddy’s bathroom. At thebottomof mother’s should havetalkedtoChua.”

sluice “That’s NagorNagaina,”hesaidtohimself, “andheis Rikki-tikki listened.Thehousewasasstillstill,but Chuchundra satdownandcriedtillthetearsrolled off his “I didn’t—soyoumusttellme.Quick,Chuchundra,orI’ll “H’sh! Nagiseverywhere, Rikki-tikki. You shouldhavetalked “Told youwhat?” “My cousinChua,therat,toldme—”saidChuchundra,and “There’s nottheleastdanger,” saidRikki-tikki.“ButNagisin “Those whokillsnakesgetkilledbysnakes,”saidChuchundra, “Do youthinkasnake-killerkillsmuskrats?”saidRikki-tikki “Don’t killme,”saidChuchundra,almostweeping. “But are yousure thatthere is anythingtobegainedbykilling “When thehouseisemptiedofpeople,”saidNagaina toher He stoleoff toTeddy’s bathroom, butthere wasnothingthere,

(sloos) n. drain. 5 You’re right,Chuchundra;I UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning NOTES

IL14 IL15 NOTES

UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning 59 58 57 56 55 54 at hisbigback,wondering whichwouldbethebestplacefora muscle, toward thejar. Nag wasasleep,andRikki-tikkilooked stayed stillasdeath. After anhourhebegantomove,muscle by round thebulgeatbottomofwaterjar, and Rikki-tikki Nagaina hadgoneaway. Nagcoiledhimself down,coilbycoil, cool tilldaytime.” he comes.Nagaina—doyouhearme?—Ishallwait here inthe bathe inthemorninghewillnothaveastick.Ishall waithere till had astick.Hemayhavethatstickstill,butwhen hecomesinto good,” saidthesnake.“Now, whenKaraitwaskilled, thebigman from thebiggestwaterjarthatwasusedtofillbath.“Thatis Rikki-tikki-tavi. on theopenfloor, theoddsare inhisfavor. WhatamItodo?”said Rikki couldseehiseyesglitter. up, raisedhishead,andlookedintothebathroom inthedark,and frightened ashesawthesizeofbigcobra.Nagcoiledhimself cold bodyfollowedit. Angry ashewas, Rikki-tikkiwasvery then Nag’sheadcamethrough thesluice,andhisfivefeetof will go.” away quietly. Thenthebungalowwillbeempty, andRikki-tikki kill thebigmanandhiswife, andthechildif Ican,andcome need thatweshouldhuntforRikki-tikkiafterward. Iwill tomorrow), ourchildren willneedroom andquiet.” that assoonoureggsinthemelonbedhatch(astheymay is empty, weare kingandqueenofthegarden; andremember we haveanymongooseinthegarden? Solongasthebungalow There wasnoanswerfrom outside,soRikki-tikkiknew Nag wavedtoandfro, and thenRikki-tikkiheard himdrinking “Now, if Ikillhimhere, Nagainawillknow;—andif Ifighthim Rikki-tikki tingledalloverwithrageandhatred atthis,and “I hadnotthoughtofthat,”saidNag.willgo,butthere isno “Everything. Whenthere were nopeopleinthebungalow, did

© Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. © Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 head. Thisgavehimjustonesecond’spurchase, back againstthebulgeofred earthenware tohold downthe jar, underthecurveofit;and,ashisteethmet,Rikkibraced And, whenIamoncethere, Imustnotletgo.” him; andabitenearthetailwouldonlymakeNagsavage. thickness oftheneckbelowhood,butthatwastoomuchfor “he canstillfight;andif hefights—ORikki!”Helookedatthe good hold.“IfIdon’tbreak hisbackatthefirstjump,”saidRikki, 6. eat mybabiesagain.” brought thebang-stickandNagfellintwopieces!Hewillnever Rikki-tikki caughthimbytheheadandheldfast. Thebigman this thetimetosing?” sweeper hadthrown thebodyonrubbish heap. voice. ThenewsofNag’sdeathwasalloverthe garden, forthe where Darzeewassingingasongoftriumphatthetophis of willhatch.Goodness!ImustgoandseeDarzee,”hesaid. than fiveNags,andthere’s noknowingwhentheeggsshespoke doings. “NowIhaveNagainatosettlewith,andshewillbeworse broken intofortypieces,as hefancied. night shakinghimself tenderly tofindoutwhetherhereally was dragged himself toTeddy’s bedroom andspenthalf therest ofthe a verywhiteface,andsawwhatwasleftofNag,Rikki-tikki chap hassavedourlivesnow.” ThenTeddy’s mothercameinwith picked himupandsaid:“It’sthemongooseagain, Alice; thelittle sure hewasdead;butthe headdidnotmove,andthebigman the hood. noise, andhadfired both barrels ofashotgunintoNagjustbehind and red fire singedhisfur. Thebigmanhadbeenwakenedbythe thunderclap justbehindhim. A hotwindknockedhimsenseless aching, andfeltshakentopieceswhensomethingwentoff likea he preferred tobefoundwithhisteethlocked.Hewasdizzy, sure hewouldbebangedtodeath,and,forthehonorofhisfamily, bath. As heheldclosedhisjawstighterandtighter, forhemade dish andthefleshbrush, andbangedagainstthetinsideof cart-whipped overthefloor, upsettingthetindipperandsoap great circles: buthiseyeswere red, andheheldonasthebody by adog—toandfro onthefloor, upanddown,around in the mostofit.Thenhewasbattered toandfro asa ratisshaken

purchase Then hejumped.Theheadwaslyingalittleclearofthewater “It mustbethehead”‘hesaidatlast;“theheadabovehood. “Nag isdead—isdead!”sangDarzee. “The valiant “Oh, youstupidtuftoffeathers!”saidRikki-tikki angrily. “Is Without waiting forbreakfast, Rikki-tikki rantothethornbush When morningcamehewasverystiff, butwellpleasedwithhis Rikki-tikki heldonwithhiseyesshut,fornowhewasquite

(PUR chuhs) n. (PUR firm hold. firm 6 andhemade UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning NOTES

IL16 IL17 NOTES

UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 knew thatNagaina’schildren were bornineggslikehisown,he more thanoneideaatatime inhishead;andjustbecausehe melon bed,andif Iwentthere nowshe’dseeme.” and letNagainachaseyouawaytothisbush!Imustgetthe will flyoff tothestablesand pretend thatyourwingisbroken, nearest thewall,yousaid?” strikes nearlyallday. Shehidthemthere weeksago.” her eggs?” Rikki-tikki withthewhiteteeth.” Darzee. “Whatisit,OKilleroftheterribleNag?” me downhere. Stopsingingaminute,Darzee.” right time. You’re safeenoughinyournestthere, butit’swarfor Rikki-tikki. “You don’tknowwhentodotherightthingat Rikki-tikki!” andDarzeefilledhisthroat andsang. the rubbish heap.Letussingaboutthegreat, thered-eyed sweeper pickedhimupontheendofastickandthrew himupon Darzee wenton;“andNagcameoutontheendofastick—the looking carefully round him. Darzee wasafeatherbrainedlittlefellowwhocouldneverhold “Not eatexactly:no.Darzee,if youhaveagrainofsense “Rikki-tikki, youare notgoing toeathereggs?” “And youneverthoughtitworthwhiletotellme?Theend “In themelonbed,onendnearest thewall,where thesun “Bother mywhiteteeth!Haveyoueverheard where shekeeps “On therubbish heapbythestables,mourningforNag.Great is “Where isNagaina,forthethird time?” sakeIwillstop,”said “For thegreat, thebeautiful Rikki-tikki’s “If Icouldgetuptoyournest,I’droll yourbabiesout!”said “Nagaina cametothebathroom sluiceandcalledforNag,” “All that’strue enough.Butwhere’s Nagaina?”saidRikki-tikki,

© Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. © Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 twenty-five eggs,aboutthesizeofabantam’s warm litterabovethemelons,verycunninglyhidden,hefound he racedfortheendofmelonpatchnearwall.There, inthe ground, andNagainaquickened herpace. wife fluttered on,pipingsorrowfully, andneverleavingthe at asnake’seyesgetssofrightenedthatshecannotmove.Darzee’s sure tocatchyou.Littlefool, lookatme!” house willlieverystill.Whatistheuseofrunning away?Iam on therubbish heapthismorning,butbefore nighttheboyin know thatIshallsettleaccountswiththeboy. Myhusbandlies slipping alongoverthedust. bad placetobelamein.” And shemovedtoward Darzee’swife, when Iwouldhavekilledhim.Indeedandtruly, you’vechosena me andbroke it.”Thenshefluttered more desperatelythanever. out, “Oh,mywingisbroken! Theboyinthehousethrew astoneat Darzee wasverylikeamaninsomeways. the babieswarm,andcontinuehissongaboutdeathofNag. later on;sosheflewoff from thenest,andleftDarzee tokeep sensible bird, andsheknewthatcobra’seggsmeantyoungcobras didn’t thinkatfirstthatitwasfairtokillthem.Buthiswife wasa 7. their faceswere white.Nagainawascoileduponthemattingby saw thattheywere noteatinganything.Theysatstone-still,and mother andfatherwere there atearlybreakfast; butRikki-tikki veranda ashard ashecouldputfoottotheground. Teddy andhis the melonbedwiththird egginhismouth,andscuttledtothe into theveranda,and—oh,comequickly—shemeans killing!” Darzee’s wife screaming: left, andRikki-tikkibegantochucklehimself, whenheheard see whetherhehadmissedany. At lastthere were onlythree eggs the youngcobras,andturnedoverlitterfrom timeto bit off thetopsofeggs asfasthecould,takingcare tocrush they were hatchedtheycould eachkillamanormongoose.He cobras curledupinsidetheskin,andheknewthatminute whitish skininsteadofshell.

bantam’s Rikki-tikki heard themgoing upthepathfrom thestables,and Darzee’s wife knewbetter thantodothat,forabird wholooks “Well! Itmaybesomeconsolationtoyouwhenyou’re deadto “The boybroke itwithastone!”shriekedDarzee’swife. Nagaina lifted upherheadandhissed,“You warnedRikki-tikki She fluttered infront ofNagainabytherubbish heap,andcried Rikki-tikki smashedtwoeggs,andtumbledbackward down “Rikki-tikki, IledNagainatoward thehouse,andshehasgone “I wasnotadaytoosoon,”hesaid;forcouldseethebaby

(BAN tuhmz) eggs tuhmz) (BAN eggs of a small chicken. asmall of eggs UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning 7 butwith NOTES

IL18 IL19 NOTES

UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88 backward. Again andagain shestruck, andeachtime herself togetherandflungoutathim.Rikki-tikkijumpedup reach ofherstroke, hislittleeyeslikehotcoals.Nagainagathered has goneforhisgun!Fight!” will gototherubbish heap with Nag.Fight,widow!Thebigman never comeback,”shesaid,loweringherhood. Rikki-tikki. Givemethelastofmyeggs,andIwill goawayand paws.“Givemetheegg, the egglaybetweenRikki-tikki’s long.” Nagaina. Comeandfightwithme. You shallnotbeawidow big manblewhimintwo.Ididit!Rikki-tikki-tck-tck!Comethen, and fro, buthecouldnot shake meoff. Hewasdeadbefore the all fourfeettogether, hisheadclosetothefloor. “He threw meto last nightinthebathroom.” Thenhebegantojumpupanddown, “The boyissafe,anditwasI—I—IthatcaughtNagbythehood table withtheteacups,safeandoutofreach ofNagaina. hand, catchTeddy bytheshoulder, anddraghimacross thelittle of theoneegg;andRikki-tikkisawTeddy’s fathershootoutabig brood? Theantsare eatingalltheothersdownbymelonbed.” cobra? Forayoungkingthelast—theverylastof eyes were blood-red. “Whatpriceforasnake’segg?Foryoung veranda. “Ah-h!Giveittome,”shesaid. the wall.Goandlook,Nagaina.” move, andif youcomeastepnearer Istrike.” Rikki-tikki. Theyare stillandwhite;theyare afraid. Theydare not settle myaccountwithyoupresently. Lookatyourfriends, and fight!” was towhisper, “Sitstill,Teddy. You mustn’tmove.Teddy, keepstill.” who killedmyNag!” move Istrike,andif youdonotmoveIstrike,Oh,foolishpeople, am notready yet.Wait alittle.Keepverystill,allyouthree. Ifyou and shewasswayingtofro, singingasongoftriumph. Teddy’s chair, withineasystrikingdistanceofTeddy’s bare leg, Rikki-tikki wasboundingallround Nagaina,keepingjustoutof “Yes, youwillgoaway, andyouwillnevercomeback;for Nagaina sawthatshehadlostherchanceofkillingTeddy, and “Tricked! Tricked! Tricked! Rikk-tck-tck!”chuckledRikki-tikki. Nagaina spunclearround, forgetting everythingforthesake Rikki-tikki puthispawsoneoneachsideoftheegg,and The bigsnaketurnedhalf round, andsawtheeggon the “Look atyoureggs,”saidRikki-tikki,“inthemelonbednear “All ingoodtime,”saidshe,withoutmovinghereyes.“Iwill Then Rikki-tikkicameupandcried:“Turn round, Nagaina;turn Teddy’s eyeswere fixedonhisfather, andallhisfathercoulddo “Son ofthebigmanthatkilledNag,”shehissed,“staystill.I

© Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. © Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved. 101 100 Rikki-tikki neverknewwhen itmightopenoutandgiveNagaina be, care tofollowacobraintoitshole.Itwasdarkinthehole;and her—and veryfewmongooses,howeverwiseand oldtheymay white teethwere clenchedonhertail,andhewentdownwith plunged intotherat-holewhere sheandNagusedtolive,hislittle Still, theinstant’sdelaybrought Rikki-tikkiuptoher, andasshe have turnedher;butNagainaonlylowered herhoodandwenton. her wingsaboutNagaina’shead.IfDarzeehadhelped theymight wiser. Sheflewoff hernestasNagainacamealong, andflapped singing hisfoolishlittlesongoftriumph.ButDarzee’s wife was thornbush, andashewasrunning Rikki-tikkiheard Darzeestill would beginagain.Sheheadedstraightforthelonggrassby like awhiplashflickedacross ahorse’sneck. Rikki-tikki behindher. Whenthecobraruns forher life, shegoes veranda steps,andflewlikeanarrow downthepath,with was drawingbreath, shecaught itinhermouth,turnedtothe Nagaina camenearer and nearer toit,tillatlast,whileRikki-tikki matting soundedlikedryleavesblownalongbythewind. to keepherheadhishead,sothattherustle ofhertailonthe danced inacircle togetbehind her, andNagainaspunround she gathered herself togetherlikeawatchspring.ThenRikki-tikki her headcamewithawhackonthemattingofverandaand Rikki-tikki knewthathemustcatchher, orallthetrouble He hadforgotten theegg. Itstilllayontheveranda,and UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning

IL20 IL21 NOTES

UNIT 5 Independent Learning •Rikki-tikki-tavi UNIT 5Independent Learning 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 dared showitsheadinsidethewalls. keep it,withtoothandjumpspringbite, tillneveracobra grow tooproud, andhekeptthatgarden asamongooseshould cobras are dead;andif theyweren’t, I’mhere.” sleepers. “Just think,hesavedallourlives.” she cametolooklateatnight. to bedonTeddy’s shoulder, where Teddy’s mothersawhimwhen he ateallthatwasgivenhimtillcouldeatnomore, andwent Teddy’s fathercameoutandalmostcriedoverhim;thatnight Nagaina usedtoeatfrogs aswelllittlebirds. birds inthegarden singing,andthefrogs croaking; forNagand is dead—dong!Nagainadead!Ding-dong-tock!”Thatsetallthe like atinydinnergong;andthenthesteady“Ding-dong-tock!Nag As Rikki-tikkiwentupthepath,heheard his“attention”notes garden, andtellsallthenews toeverybodywhocares tolisten. always makingitisbecausehethetowncriertoeveryIndian beating ofalittlehammeroncopperpot;andthereason heis Nagaina isdead.” Tell theCoppersmith,Darzee,andhewilltellgarden that done ahard day’swork. was—slept andslepttillitwaslateintheafternoon,forhehad to seeif hehadspokenthetruth. grass stemsheard him,andbegantotroop downone afteranother never comeoutagain.” And thered antsthatlivebetweenthe of hisfurandsneezed.“Itisallover,” hesaid.“Thewidowwill stopped withalittleshout.Rikki-tikkishooksomeofthedustout himself outoftheholelegbyleg,lickinghiswhiskers.Darzee grass quivered again,andRikki-tikki,covered with dirt,dragged of theminute,andjustashegottomosttouchingpart underground.” song. Valiant Rikki-tikkiisdead!ForNagainawillsurely killhim Darzee said:“ItisalloverwithRikki-tikki!We mustsinghisdeath his feettoactasbrakesonthedarkslopeofhot,moistearth. room toturnandstrikeathim.Heheldonsavagely, andstuckout Rikki-tikki hadarighttobeproud ofhimself; buthedidnot “Oh, it’syou,”saidhe.“Whatare youbotheringfor? All the Rikki-tikki wokeupwithajump,forallthemongooses are light “He savedourlivesandTeddy’s life,” shesaidtoherhusband. When Rikkigottothehouse,Teddy andTeddy’s motherand The Coppersmithisabird whomakesanoiseexactlylikethe “Now,” hesaid,whenawoke,“Iwillgobacktothehouse. Rikki-tikki curledhimself upinthegrassandsleptwhere he So hesangaverymournfulsongthatmadeuponthespur Then thegrassbymouthofholestoppedwaving,and

❧