Mowgli's Brothers facts for kids

Mowgli's Brothers is an exciting short story written by Rudyard Kipling. It's the very first story about Mowgli's adventures, even though Kipling wrote another story where Mowgli is grown up first.

This story was first published in January 1894 in a magazine called St. Nicholas Magazine. Later that same year, it became the first story in Kipling's famous book, The Jungle Book. It even came with a special poem called "Hunting Song of the Seeonee Pack." You can also find this story in a collection called All the Mowgli Stories.

The Story of Mowgli's Brothers

This part tells you what happens in the story. It's about a tiny human baby who gets adopted by wolves!

A New Cub in the Pack

The story begins with Father Wolf, whose name is Rama, and Mother Wolf, named Raksha. They are a pair of wolves who are raising their own wolf cubs. One night, a sneaky golden jackal named Tabaqui brings bad news. He tells them that Shere Khan, a Bengal tiger with a lame leg, is hunting in their area. This is a big problem because Shere Khan often hunts humans, and that could bring angry villagers into the jungle.

Suddenly, Father Wolf hears something coming towards their den. He expects it to be the tiger, but instead, it's a tiny human baby! Mother Wolf decides right away to adopt the little "man-cub." She calls him Mowgli, which means "frog," because he has no fur.

Mowgli Joins the Wolf Pack

Soon after, Shere Khan arrives and demands the baby. But the brave wolves chase him away! Later, at the wolf pack's meeting at Council Rock, the wolves decide if Mowgli can stay. Baloo the bear speaks up for the man-cub. Then, Bagheera the black panther offers to buy Mowgli's life with a freshly killed bull. Because of Baloo and Bagheera, Mowgli is allowed to join the pack.

Baloo and Bagheera take on the important job of teaching Mowgli the ways of the jungle as he grows up. Mowgli learns to understand all the animals and their rules.

Shere Khan's Plan

As Mowgli gets older, around 11 years old, Bagheera tells him about a secret plan Shere Khan has. Shere Khan is trying to convince the younger wolves to turn against their leader, Akela. He wants to get rid of Akela and then take Mowgli.

Mowgli is human, so he is the only creature in the jungle who isn't afraid of fire. To protect himself and his wolf family, he bravely goes to a nearby village. There, he steals a pot of burning coals. He plans to use the fire against Shere Khan.

Mowgli's Farewell

The young wolves, influenced by Shere Khan, prevent Akela from catching his prey. This makes Akela look weak. At the next night's meeting, Shere Khan demands that Akela be killed and that Mowgli be given to him.

But Mowgli is ready! Even though he is just a boy, he bravely attacks Shere Khan with a burning branch. He drives Shere Khan and his allies away. However, Mowgli realizes sadly that he must now leave the wolf pack. He knows he has to go back to live with humans. As he leaves, Mowgli promises that one day he will return. He vows to lay Shere Khan's hide on the Council Rock.

Animated TV Special

In 1976, the story of Mowgli's Brothers was made into a 25-minute animated television special. It was directed by the famous animator Chuck Jones. The voices were done by Roddy McDowall and June Foray, who voiced Mother Wolf.

This cartoon mostly follows the original story. But there are a few changes. For example, Baloo and Tabaqui have bigger roles. Also, Shere Khan is shown as a white tiger, and there's no mention of his lame leg. Chuck Jones also directed other animated specials based on Kipling's stories, like "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" and "The White Seal".