"What is the Law of the Jungle? Strike first and make a noise about it afterward. You are careless about this because you are a man. But be wise. Soon Akela will miss his next kill. Every time he hunts it is harder for him to kill the buck. When he misses the Pack will turn against him and against you. They will hold a jungle Council at the Rock, and then - and then wait, I have an idea" said Bagheera, leaping up.

"Go down quickly to the valley where the men's huts are, and take some of the Red Flower which they grow there. Then you will have a friend who is even stronger than I or Baloo or those wolves in the Pack that love you. Get the Red Flower." By 'Red Flower' Bagheera meant fire. No animal in the jungle will call fire by its proper name. Every beast is very afraid of fire, and so each animal gives it another name.

"The Red Flower?" said Mowgli. "That grows outside their huts in the twilight. I will get some."

"Only a man could be so brave," said Bagheera proudly. "Remember that it grows in little pots. Get the red flower quickly, and keep it by you for time of need."

"Good!" said Mowgli. "I will get it. But are you sure, Bagheera" - Mowgli put his arm around Bagheera's splendid neck and looked deep into the panther's big eyes - "are you sure Shere Khan is to blame for what is happening?"