For the last several years, I’ve been trying my best to read through Classics that I had never read as a child. I’ve gotten through a few different authors, but I had been wanting to read Rudyard Kipling for a while. So when I was looking for my next book to read, I landed on The Jungle Books.
Not just about Mowgli
First of all, I was extremely surprised to find out the entire book wasn’t about Mowgli. This is what happens when we lean into old Disney movies and assume they’re telling the entire story. This book is actually a medley of stories about a variety of different animals with a few humans thrown in. Kipling skillfully uses anthropomorphism, which is a fancy word for animals that take on human qualities, throughout the book.
Wolf-boy
The first story follows a little boy, Mowgli, that was raised by wolves. Somehow he was separated from his family, and he was able to find safety and protection with a wolf family. The tiger, Shere Khan, who was stalking the boy’s family, lost site of the toddler. However, later on when Shere Khan realized Mowgli found his way to the wolf family, he demanded his prey be given to him. With the help of “Baloo, the sleepy brown bear who teaches the wolf-cubs the Law of the Jungle”…”Bagheera the Black Panther” and the other wolves (page 11), they were able to protect Mowgli. And thus began Mowgli’s life with his new found family in the jungles of India.
What’s fascinating is that apparently, children found in the jungle who were raised by wolves in India was not that uncommon. It seems crazy, but according to THIS article, it’s true. So Mowgli’s story may have been inspired by a real-life boy that was raised by wolves.
But regardless if this was just an imaginative story by an incredible story teller or a loosely based true story, there were great morals taught in the book. Respect for authority was cleverly communicated throughout Mowgli’s story. Apparently, even in the jungle there is a hierarchy that was respected by each animal group. Rules were made and followed so that order could be maintained.
However, courage was probably the most predominantly stressed theme throughout the entire narrative. Especially towards the end of the story, when Mowgli’s life was clearly threatened by the dreaded Shere Khan. Shere Khan always resented the fact that Mowgli was allowed to live. So after Mowgli’s “wolf-father” was too old to appropriately protect Mowgli, Shere Khan planned to finally strike his archenemy. However, before he was able to strike, Mowgli struck first, using both his wit and incredible courage.
The White Seal
The next story Kipling told was about the White Seal, Kotick. Although he stuck out like a sore thumb, he was able to stay alive in the dangerous ocean environment. This is due to the fact that the superstitious men who were trying to harvest seals for their skins, were terrified of the unusual seal. It was also at this first interaction with men that Kotick realized that the poachers were there to harvest seals for their skins.
Here again, Kipling stresses courage in the main character. Kotick goes alone to look for a place where the seals could be safe from the slaughter that his fellow seals didn’t even realize was happening. Although he had many ups and downs, he eventually found an island. He was then able to convince his fellow seals to go back to the island.
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi was yet another example of one brave little animal. However in this story, the musk-rat bravely protected his master and his parents from a husband and wife lethal snake couple. He was misunderstood initially by the mother, but becomes a beloved part of the family for protecting them all so courageously.
Toomai of the Elephants
Toomai of the elephants is an interesting anecdote of a little boy who finds himself in the middle of essentially a family reunion of domesticated and wild elephants. The older elephant trainers treated the little boy with disdain because of his age. So the little boy decided to stay close to the largest of the elephants, Kala Nag, to prove his worth to the older trainers. But in the middle of the night, the elephant broke his chain and started to leave the camp. Before he was able to get far, however, the little boy Toomai asked Kala Nag to join him. Kala Nag picks him up and places him on the top of his neck.
Initially, the boy had no idea where he was going and why. But later that night, Toomai realized what was happening: an elephant reunion of epic proportions. No person had ever seen anything like it, but now, Toomai was able to tell his elders that in fact, he had been there to witness the amazing elephant reunion. Once Little Toomai proved that what he said was actually true, he was well respected by his elders and predicted to be the best ever elephant trainer in India.
Accidental heroes
The last two stories above speak to the accidental hero theme. However, all of the stories in the Jungle Book are excellent illustrations of courage in difficult situations. None of the characters above asked for the stressful situations they were placed in. It wasn’t because of their own mischievous actions that they needed to be brave. Rather it was just various things that happened to them. Each character had choices to make. And thankfully, they made exemplary choices for their ultimate good and our benefit.
We need our children to read great stories like these. Especially our boys! As I’ve mentioned in other posts, the LORD tells us repeatedly to not fear. Hearing adventure stories where the imperfect main character acts courageously is not only fun, but character building.
These stories may not be the easiest to get through, but just like mining for gold, the work is well worth it. You will find gems of not only beauty in nature, but strength and courage in each story that will inspire any reader. Don’t shy away from these great works of literature! And while you’re at it, check out the many selections of Classics we have available on MHM!
