Revisiting a beloved classic from my childhood

Self | 5/30/'11 | Zionist Conspirator

[Zionist Conspirator]

My life is undergoing a bit of a disruption right now (hence my ceasing to post the weekly Torah readings). But to calm my nerves I have been re-reading the original Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling. This is the first time I have done so in a very long time, and I am amazed at how much I remember. Those stories really make an impression.

I have read all the Mowgli stories before (except for "In the Rukh," which I recently read online), but except for "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" I had not read any of the non-Mowgli stories in the Jungle Books before. I've actually just finished the last non-Mowgli story this evening. What are two Arctic stories ("The White Seal" and "Quinquern") doing in Jungle Books anyway?

The edition I have been reading is the Signet Classics edition. Unfortunately, it has the short ending of "The King's Ankus," which I think is inexcusable (not to worry; I still have my ancient Scholastic Books copy with the full thing). Since the short ending is the result of an oversight in the first edition, why would any later edition intentionally replicate this mistake?

The afterword to this edition makes the interesting observation that Mowgli is a far better and more appealing character than Tarzan, and I must say that I quite agree. Edgar Rice Burroughs seems to have been too influenced by contemporary evolutionary theories in weaving his tale.

I am a big fan of the "talking beast" genre of story anyway, whether folkore, Aesop's Fables, Uncle Remus, or Mrs. Brisby and the Rats of NIMH.

Anyone else out there enjoy Kipling's original Jungle Book stories? Are there any other "talking beast" type stories you can recommend?

[Zionist Conspirator]

Please note that this post and thread are about Kipling's actual stories. Please don't turn it into a thread about the Disney cartoon (blech).

[Zionist Conspirator]

I realize this may not be up your alley, but you are such a polymath that you might have something to say. If you do, I believe it would be interesting.

[Sherman Logan]

Read Jungle Book in first grade right about 50 years ago. Made huge impression.

I quite agree Mowgli is a much more interesting and believable character than Tarzan.

I remember many of the stories in considerable detail, while thousands of books since have slipped below the ocean of conciousness.

[null and void]

He: Do you like Kipling?

She: I don’t know, I’ve never Kippled...

[Twotone]

You would have to post this thread just when I have to go fix dinner. I love most everything Kipling wrote, but the Jungle Book in particular. He did another short story about polo ponies that I loved. Can’t think of the title right now. I’ll have to check back here later...

[mamelukesabre]

stealing it

[PUGACHEV]

Something about the recent Bin Laden operation reminded me of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, so I went back and re-read it. “Give me my egg, and I'll leave, and you will not see me anymore” hissed the cobra. “You're right, you will go away, and I won't see you anymore because I'm going to kill you, and they'll throw you on the trash heap” replied the mongoose.

[Pollster1]

Kipling is one of my favorites. I read just about everything he wrote aloud to my children as bedtime stories at the appropriate ages, most of it several times. Passing on Kipling’s accurate version of traditional values is part of good parenting.

[antceecee]

The first Kipling story I fell in love with as a child...Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

[Zionist Conspirator]

stealing it

You're not stealing it from null and void. That's a very old joke from a comic post card at the turn of the twentieth century.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I have gotten a great deal of enjoyment from Brian Jacques' Redwall series of books.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

There are the “Just So” stories which I read and loved as a kid. I also liked the Beatrix Potter little books, I owned all twenty three of them. The Tale of Ginger and Pickles is a good lesson on how NOT to run a business.

[Zionist Conspirator]

I have gotten a great deal of enjoyment from Brian Jacques' Redwall series of books.

I've heard a great deal about those but have never read one. I may have to check them out some time.

[kenavi]

I read my dad's antique edition of the "Jungle Book" when I was between 12 and 13, so I really identified with the protagonist.

Kipling could say so much in a few words. That his stories didn't limit themselves to a few words but meandered and pondered the actions they described, made reading his stories a lasting treat. I still remember the sentiments they inspired in me. The Victorian illustrations were also of lasting effect.

Saw Gunga Din the other night, it brought back memories of my dad as it was his favorite movie and I believe his favorite leading man, Cary Grant: "You're all under arrest! (And you know why...)"

[Bean Counter]

I really need to get my hands on the Jungle Books; that’s a major missing piece of my library.

However, I do have a very good copy of the 1909 Edition of Kipling’s “Departmental Ditties and Barrack-Room Ballads”, and there is nothing I know of that compares to his prose.

” The herald read his titles forth,
We set the logs aglow;
Friends of the English, free from fear,
‘Baron of Luni to Jeysulmeer,
‘Lord of the Desert of Bikaneer,
‘King of the Jungle, -go!’

From “The Last Sutter”
Rudyard Kipling

[Ax]

My favorite: “You may talk of gin and beer, when you’re quartered safe out here, and sent to penny fights at Aldershot it, but when it comes to slaughter, you’ll do your work on water and lick the bloomin’ boots of ‘im that’s got it....”

[null and void]

I first remember hearing it in the 1950’s.

Thanks for the additional background.

[Atomic Vomit]

The “Chronicles of Narnia” are wonderful, with many talking beasts.
“Wind in the Willows”, with the original illustrations by Arthur Rackham is another favorite.

Mrs. AV

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

I like Kipling too.

Uncle Remus

I've read about all the Uncle Remus stories as well. They sure are fun. My little sisters sure love it when I tell them Brer Rabbit stories... :-)

[Atomic Vomit]

“Watership Down” is another good one.

Mrs.AV