"I taught thee the Law. It is for me to speak", [Baloo] said, "and though I cannot now see the rocks before me, I see far. Little frog, take thine own trail ; make thy lair with thine own blood and pack and people ; but when there is need of foot or tooth or eye or a word carried swiftly by night, remember, master of the jungle, the jungle is thine at call."
"The Middle Jungle is thine also," said Kaa. "I speak for no small people."
"Hai mai, my brothers," cried Mowgli, throwing up his arms with a sob. "I know not what I know, I would not go, but I am drawn by both feet. How shall I leave theses nights ?"
"Nay, look up, Little Brother," Baloo repeated. "There is no shame in this hunting. When the honey is eaten we leave the empty hive."
"Having cast the skin," said Kaa, "we may not creep into it afresh. It is the Law."
"Listen, dearest of all to me," said Baloo. "There is neither word nor will here to hold thee back. Look up ! Who may question the master of the jungle ? I saw thee playing among the white pebbles yonder when thou wast a little frog ; and Bagheera, that bought thee for the price of a young bull newly killed, saw thee also. Of that looking-over we two only remain, for Raksha, thy lair-mother, is dead with thy lair-father ; the old wolf pack is long since dead ; thou knowest whither Shere Khan went, and Akela died among the dholes, where but for the wisdom and strength the second Seeonee Pack would also have died. There remain nothing but old bones. It is no longer the man-cub that asks leave of his pack, but the master of the jungle that changes his trail. Who shall question man in his ways ?"
