The Second Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling Chapter 9 Page 3

“Strange to see the covering of one’s own head at one’s own feet!”

“Ay, but I lack feet,” said Kaa; “and since this is the custom of all my people, I do not find it strange.

Does thy skin never feel old and harsh?”

“Then go I and wash, Flathead; but, it is true, in the great heats I have wished I could slough my skin without pain, and run skinless.”

“I wash, and ALSO I take off my skin. How looks the new coat?”

Mowgli ran his hand down the diagonal checkerings of the immense back. “The Turtle is harder-backed, but not so gay,” he said judgmatically. “The Frog, my name-bearer, is more gay, but not so hard. It is very beautiful to see —