Jungle Book
We are always told that the Circle of Life exists and that all living creatures are part of it; forming the unending circle. We are also told that we are all Earthlings and that we should treat each living creature as part of our own. But what, or who, is it that is responsible for the separation of species. Usually the most obvious answer is Man. But, as I read the passages from the Jungle Book, especially in Mowgli’s Brothers, it became apparent that it is not just Man that decides to create the distance between species. In Mowgli’s Brothers, it is Shere Khan, followed by Bagheera (although for a different reason), who makes the distinction between human and animal. It is Shere Khan that created the segregation of man and human in this case. Mowgli simply wanted to stay with the only family he knew, but was betrayed by several of them who were brainwashed by Shere Khan. “A man! A man! What has a man to do with us? Let him go his own place.” “ No man’s cub can run with the people of the jungle.” (873)
Bageerha’s distinction is that he was born into man’s world, but decided to unleash the wild in him instead of being tamed. He did not enjoy his life “being fed behind bars from an iron pan.” (870) When he grew tired of man’s dealings with animals as “pets,” he freed himself from his lock with his mighty strength and left for his true home, one that he had never seen. His true instincts came to life within him and he acted upon them. Just as he is able to recognize that Mowgli’s human instincts are about to rise up in him. He tells Mowlgi that it is necessary to follow these instincts, as they are natural. But Mowlgi is smart enough to remember his years as a wolf and the love he gave and received from his Pack and family. “Because I was all but your brother in blood, I promise that when I am a man among men I will not betray ye to men as ye have betrayed me. There is no war between any of us and the Pack.” (874)
The last distinction of segregation is that of hope. It is a well-known fact that humans are the cause of animal betrayal, segregation, and death. For any animal to stand up to a human is a great feat. If humans and animals are to live together as one entity on this planet and take care of each other, why do we cause them so much pain. It is ridiculous what we do, especially in front of their eyes as they are waiting for the same fate. But, hope is always the best thing anyone or anything can ask for. And for one to finally stand up and fulfill the dream is everything in the world, especially when more than one species can live in harmony together. “There was a story on the beaches that someday white seal would come out of the north and lead the seal people to a quiet place.” “I am the only white seal that has ever been born on the beaches, and I am the only seal, black or white, who ever thought of looking for new islands.” (883)
