The wolves all growled, and a young four-year-old wolf flung back Shere Khan's question to Akela: "Why do the Free People want a man's cub?" Now, the Law of the Jungle says that if there is any argument about whether a cub should be accepted by the Pack, he must be approved by two members of the Pack who are not his father and mother.

"Who speaks for this cub?" said Akela. "Is there anyone who will speak for this cub?" There was no answer. Mother Wolf got ready. There was going to be a fight, and she would probably die. Then someone spoke. The only other creature allowed at the Pack Council was Baloo He was a sleepy brown bear who taught the wolf cubs the Law of the Jungle. Old Baloo can come and go where he wants because he eats only nuts and roots and honey. Now he rose upon his hind quarters and said.

"The man's cub - the man's cub?" he said. "I speak for the man's cub. There is no harm in a man's cub. I am not good at speaking, but I speak the truth. Let him run with the Pack, let him be a wolf with the others. I myself will teach him."

"We still need another to speak for the cub" said Akela. "Baloo has spoken, and he is our teacher for the young cubs. Who speaks besides Baloo?"