“I was born in the King’s cages at Oodeypore, and it is in my stomach that I know some little of Man. Very many men would kill thrice in a night for the sake of that one big red stone alone.”

“But the stone makes it heavy to the hand. My little bright knife is better; and — see! the red stone is not good to eat. Then WHY would they kill?”

“Mowgli, go thou and sleep. Thou hast lived among men, and — — ”

“I remember. Men kill because they are not hunting; — for idleness and pleasure. Wake again, Bagheera. For what use was this thorn-pointed thing made?”

Bagheera half opened his eyes — he was very sleepy — with a malicious twinkle.