The Jungle Book

Mowgli is the protagonist of the first three stories in The Jungle Book. He is a human child who was adopted by a pair of wolves after they found him as an infant being hunted by the tiger Shere Khan. Mowgli’s name means “frog” and it was given to him by the wolves. Mowgli lives in the jungle as a member of the wolf pack until he is 11 years old. During that time, he is educated by Baloo the bear, who teaches him the Master Words of the jungle and the languages of different species. Bagheera the panther helps to protect him and advise him. When Mowgli is 11, Shere Khan conspires with some of the young wolves to drive Mowgli out of the pack. Although Mowgli is able to protect himself with fire, he has to leave the jungle behind and live in the human village. However, the human villagers drive him out eventually after they witness his ability to speak to animals. Mowgli kills Shere Khan, but he does not return to the wolf pack or become their leader, instead deciding to hunt along with four of his wolf brothers.