Set in a British military bungalow in late nineteenth-century India, this short story follows a young mongoose named Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. After a flood separates him from his family, a human boy named Teddy adopts him. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi quickly becomes the garden’s guardian against two predatory cobras, Nag and Nagaina. The narrative details a series of violent physical encounters as the mongoose uses his speed and instincts to protect his human family. He eventually infiltrates the cobras’ underground burrow to eliminate their unhatched eggs and ensure the safety of the household.
This story is written for young readers who enjoy animal adventures and classic naturalist fiction. It provides a detailed look at the predator-prey relationship and the biology of mongooses and snakes within a colonial setting. Readers walk away with a clear understanding of the territorial instincts of wild animals and the concept of loyalty between a pet and its owners. It serves as an introduction to Rudyard Kipling’s technical writing style and his observations of the Indian landscape.
- Published
- 1894
- Language
- EN
