It was on a very warm day that Bagheera had an idea. It came from something that he had heard. Perhaps Ikki the Porcupine had told him. So he said to Mowgli when they were deep in the jungle, as the boy lay with his head on Bagheera's beautiful black skin, "Little Brother, how often have I told you that Shere Khan is your enemy?"

"As many times as there are nuts on that palm tree," said Mowgli, who, naturally, could not count. "It's not important. I am sleepy, Bagheera, and Shere Khan has a long tail and loud talk - he is like Mao, the Peacock."

"But this is no time for sleeping. Baloo knows it; I know it; the Pack know it; and even the foolish, foolish deer know. Tabaqui has told you as well."

"Ho! ho!" said Mowgli. "Tabaqui came to me not long ago. He was very rude and said that I was a naked man's cub and I shouldn't even be allowed to dig pig-nuts. But I caught Tabaqui by the tail and swung him twice against a tree. That taught him better manners."

"That was foolishness. Though Tabaqui is a mischief-maker, he would have told you something important. Open those eyes, Little Brother. Now, Shere Khan doesn't dare to kill you in the jungle. But remember, Akela is very old, and soon the day comes when he cannot kill his buck, and then he will not be leader any more".