The Jungle Book

The Jungle Book Summary | Plot Summary

Jungle Book, originally published in 1893, is a charming collection of seven short stories, drawn from Rudyard Kipling's travels throughout the world and particularly throughout the colonies of the British Empire. Travel in the 19th century was the privilege of the wealthy, and other parts of the world were vastly different from his home in Britain. Kipling shows the reader the different customs and ways of life in India, Afghanistan and the Bering Sea, in a way that is human and familiar, rather than foreign. He also touches on the prejudices and hypocrisy that mark the British colonies.

That Kipling loved to travel and loved learning about new peoples comes out clearly in his writing. In Jungle Book, he creates a magical world in which animals talk and reason. In "Mowgli's Brothers," he tells the tale of a young human baby, Mowgli, found in the wilderness by a family of wolves and raised as one of their own. "Kaa's Hunting" follows Mowgli as he grows and learns the lessons of the jungle, sometimes the hard way. In "Tiger, Tiger," Kipling continues the story of Mowgli as he grows up and is cast out of the wolf pack by jealous and competitive rivals. He tries to make a life with the human villagers, but his new life is wrought with problems.

"The White Seal" takes the reader to the Bering Sea and introduces him to a colony of seals. One particularly brave and notable seal, an unusual white seal, questions the seals' lifestyle and looks for ways to improve it. As he grows up, he travels the globe looking for the ideal home for the seals. He shares the knowledge he gains on his travels with the other seals and the reader. In "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," the setting returns to India and relates the story of a loyal mongoose, considered good luck in India, and how he protects his family from the deadly bite and the cunning of the resident cobras.

"Toomai of the Elephants" is another tale of India centering around a trusted elephant, his handler, and the myth of the elusive elephant dance. It tells the tale of one boy's magical night with the elephants. "Servants of the Queen" takes the reader to western India, in present day Pakistan, and lets us eavesdrop as the camp animals discuss their lives.

Each story is followed by a lyrical poem or song, supposedly sung or spoken by the main character, summarizing the story. Kipling's tales are outwardly for children, but their themes apply to larger adult situations as well. His characters may be children and animals, but they are often recognizable in the reader's own life experiences. Fun and enjoyable to read, Kipling's stories take the reader back to the days of the Empire, while at the same time discussing themes that are as relevant today as they were when they were written.