Rikki-Tikki-Tavi: A Brave and Valiant Mongoose
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is a short story in The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. It's the story of a young Indian grey mongoose who is brave and valiant. The story has been anthologized and published in various versions as a short book. We will look at its main plot and character traits. Also, find out why Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is so famous.
The Plot: Protecting His Family
The story begins as an Englishman visits India during the late nineteenth century. He has a bang-stick shotgun. He shoots the Nag into two pieces, causing him to fall into Rikki's lair. This episode depicts the role of imperial England in India. The plot is rather simple. It revolves around Rikki's quest to protect his family. The story aims to give children a new and exciting perspective on life and death.
Rikki-Tikki: The Tenacious Mongoose
Rikki-tikki was a little naughty at first. He was about to eat his tail, as per tradition. But then he remembered that a full meal makes a mongoose slow. It also remembers that thinness is a sign of strength. It has been said that the mongoose's tenacity and resilience were a big part of his success.
Educational and Virtuous Behavior
The story is meant to be educational, and not only entertain children, but also to instill values of virtuous behavior. In the story, Rikki-tikki-tavi must kill a Nag to save his human family. This fear turns into courage and Rikki defeats the Nag. His courage wins the day, and he is rewarded with a permanent place in the human family.
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi: Protector of the Human Family
In The Jungle Book, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi protects the human family and its animal friends. He also protects the human family from cobras and other threats. The story also involves a coppersmith bird, which acts as the town crier and announces victories. As Rikki-Tikki-Tavi protects his family and their animals, he discovers that he has been mistaken for a human.
A Heroic Act and Ethical Dilemma
The story is a fantasy about a young boy who becomes a hero. During the story, the child learns that killing is a necessary action in the forest. He learns to be confident about his skills as he kills the snake and gains confidence. The story is a classic example of how killing for survival can become a heroic act. However, he must do it in a less ethical way.
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi's Brave Deed
After Teddy's father wakes up one morning, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi kills a deadly brown snake. However, he doesn't eat the snake he killed. He does this to remain slim and fight against the evil Nag or Nagaina. Teddy's father sees this and shoots the snake dead. The father is amazed by Rikki-Tikki-Tavi's bravery.
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" is a children's story by Rudyard Kipling that first appeared in the second volume of The Jungle Book. It was republished numerous times throughout the twentieth century, and there were many versions of the book in print by 2004. A critical introduction by Daniel Karlin was included in the Penguin paperback edition of the book in 2004.
