THE JUNGLE BOOK

This is an original play, inspired by Kipling’s stories, which retells the classic tale in an
exciting new way. It is a fantastically fun production both to perform and to watch, with a
host of zany characters and lots of opportunities for stage design, costume and lighting.
The production is designed to be as flexible as possible:
- Suitable for casts of all ages and varying sizes
- Script can be edited to fit your needs
- Props, costume and stage design are entirely open ended and can be done on a
small budget

CAST:
Name Gender Who are they? Cast someone who:
Mowgli Male (or a The hero. A human boy. Naïve and Is a strong actor, capable
girl confident brash yet brave and noble, his of carrying the narrative
playing a journey of discovery through the Can bring athleticism
boyish jungle is the main narrative of the and energy to the role
character) story. Has an innocent,
childlike confidence and
zest.
Bagheera Male/Female The narrator. A black panther. She Can play mature and
tells the story and has a serious characters
protective, motherly relationship Has a good ‘story-telling’
with Mowgli. manner, clear and
compelling
Baloo Male A big bear. Baloo is a wise teacher Has a big, confident
with a laidback, carefree personality with plenty
personality. He is the ‘fun uncle’ of charm and humour
figure to Mowgli. Is tall and physically
strong
Can put on a deep, loud
voice
Shere Khan Male/Female The villain. A tiger. A feared and Can play menacing,
hated tyrant who terrorises the villainous characters
jungle, she wants to kill Mowgli. Has a confident,
commanding presence
that ‘owns’ the stage
Kaa Female A hypnotic python. She at first Is flexible and can play
seems friendly towards Mowgli very physical,
but ultimately puts him under her movement-based
spell and tries to eat him. characters
Can be sinister and
seductive, with a playful,
coquettish side
Akela Male/Female Chief of the wolf pack. A noble Has gravitas and
and authoritative leader. maturity
Wolves Male/Female Mowgli’s adopted family. They’re Is a versatile actor
mothers, fathers and cubs.
 Can work well in an
ensemble
Vultures Male/Female Mischievous undertakers of the Can play comedic
jungle. They help Mowgli out characters
more than once and provide Works well in an
comic relief to the plot. ensemble
Monkeys Male/Female Crazy, unruly band of apes who Is highly energetic
Mowgli briefly joins. Can play crazy, comic
characters

COSTUME SUGGESTIONS:
Mowgli:
- Shorts or a loincloth, made to look rough and worn (he’s lived in the jungle all his life!)
- Barefoot
- (If the actor does not feel confident bare-chested) A thick sash or a vest, also rough and
worn

Bagheera:
- All black
- Velvety material (panthers have beautiful, shimmery coats)
- Slim-fitting (Bagheera should appear cat-like and predatory)
- Cat ears (can be put on an Alice band)
- Gloves (like paws!)
- Cat like makeup
Baloo
- Slobby, messy clothes, baggy and relaxed
- Can fill costume with cushions or other padding to give the sense of a bear’s size
- Brown or grey colours
- Big, heavy boots (Baloo is a big character, in both sound and size!)
- Bear ears
Shere Khan
- Orange, black or tiger pattern clothes
- Regal, glamorous clothes, create the idea of power and privilege
- Can use similar style to Bagheera, they’re both cats
Kaa
- Tight fitting clothes
- Green, brown or snakeskin
- Something to act as ‘coils’ that can be wound around Mowgli (perhaps a long stretch of
fabric)
- Barefoot (Kaa treads lightly)
- Expressive eye make-up (focus on those hypnotizing eyes!)
Akela/ Wolves
- Grey colours
- Wolf ears
 - Fluffy material
Vultures
- Black suits and ties
- White shirts
- ‘Undertaker’ outfit (top hat etc.)
- Something with feathers if possible
- Bird beaks (can be made out of cardboard)
Monkeys
- Childish clothes
- Dungarees, t-shirts
- Monkey ears
- Clownish makeup

SCENE 1 – The Beginning

MUSIC, which fades as WOLVES walk on stage and begin the rhyme:
Now Chil the Kite brings home the night
That Mang the Bat sets free –
The herds are shut in byre and hut
For loosed till dawn are we.
This is the hour of pride and power,
Talon and tush and claw.
Oh hear the call! – Good hunting all
That keep the Jungle Law!

Enter BAGHEERA, front left.

BAGHEERA: (narrating) Ladies and gentlemen, this is the story of the jungle boy, Mowgli. He was given
this name, meaning Little Frog, by the wolves; a strange name for a man-cub, you might think. But
Mowgli was no ordinary man-cub; he grew up far from his parents, raised instead by the wolf pack. He
spent his life in the depths of the jungle, without human contact. In order to ensure his survival, I,
Bagheera, watched over him until he was able to be accepted as a true member of the pack. When he
was old enough, he was taught the Laws of the Jungle by the Wise Old Bear Baloo. His home was
among us.
WOLVES. MOTHER WOLF sits with her cubs, FATHER WOLF comes in as he is preparing to go hunting.
A roar is heard offstage.

But the Jungle is also home to many other creatures, not all of them as kind to Mowgli as we were. If
you will sit a while a lend an ear, I shall tell you of the peculiar man-cub’s story, the dangers he faced
and overcame, and the brave young man he grew to become. To begin, then, at the beginning: some
[insert Mowgli’s age] years ago, when the man-cub was found by one of the pack….
Exit BAGHEERA. Another noise offstage, at which MOTHER and FATHER WOLF look out.
FATHER WOLF: The fool! To begin a night’s work with such noise!
MOTHER WOLF: My cubs will never sleep with such roaring in the night.

FATHER WOLF: Does that tiger think he will catch any prey with such shouting?
MOTHER WOLF: Surely he can’t; any animal would hear him coming. Even Shere Khan must know
that.
FATHER WOLF: Maybe he has changed his methods because he is changing his prey, and wishes to
intimidate rather than surprise
MOTHER WOLF: What do you mean?
FATHER WOLF: If the word of the grapevine is to be believed, it is neither buck nor bullock he hunts
tonight – it is man.

MOTHER WOLF: Man!? Are there not beast and birds enough in the jungle? Must he hunt man too,
and on our ground?

Another roar, then a pause.

FATHER WOLF: Apparently unsuccessfully.

MOTHER WOLF: I hope he has missed.

A rustling sound.

MOTHER WOLF: What is that?

FATHER WOLF: Something is coming, get ready.

MOTHER WOLF: What could be coming? Not the tiger, surely.

FATHER WOLF: No, it is too small to be Shere Khan, and too quiet.
MOTHER WOLF: (pointing) There! In the bushes!

FATHER WOLF: Ah, yes, I see movement.

MOTHER WOLF: What is it?

They look down offstage, seeming to watch something, then gasp.

FATHER WOLF: A man-cub! Look! (Looks offstage)

MOTHER WOLF: Is that a man-cub? I have never seen one before! How little it is and how bold!

FATHER WOLF: How small, too.

MOTHER WOLF: You’re right… he will get himself killed.

FATHER WOLF: What do you expect us to do?

MOTHER WOLF: Well, I just thought…

FATHER WOLF: We already have cubs!

MOTHER WOLF: I know, but… he looks so vulnerable.

FATHER WOLF: He is, but that’s not because of us.

MOTHER WOLF: I just think we owe it to him to keep him safe, at least for a little while.
FATHER WOLF: He is not our responsibility.

MOTHER WOLF: If Shere Khan has orphaned him on our territory, it seems the least we can do.

FATHER WOLF: It isn’t as if we orphaned him!

MOTHER WOLF: But if we found an orphaned wolf cub we would take it in

FATHER WOLF: Well, yes, but…

MOTHER WOLF: So why should we not do the same for a man-cub?

FATHER WOLF: Very well then.

MOTHER WOLF: What should we call him?
FATHER WOLF: We don’t need to call him anything; he isn’t staying long!
MOTHER WOLF: He looks like a little frog.
FATHER WOLF: Well, yes, he does, and he is slippery like a frog.
MOTHER WOLF: Then that will be his name, Mowgli, the Little Frog.
FATHER WOLF: It is settled then, he shall stay with us, for the time being, at least.

MOTHER WOLF: I shall look after him personally

FATHER WOLF: If you so wish.

MOTHER WOLF: He may even stay and become a member of the pack, do you think?

FATHER WOLF: We must present him to the pack before he is accepted, you know that.

MOTHER WOLF: I know, but when the time comes they will accept him, I am sure of it.

FATHER WOLF: I think you’re getting carried away, my dear.

MOTHER WOLF: Maybe, but I have taken quite a liking to him.

FATHER WOLF: Let’s just take him to safety.

MOTHER WOLF: Yes, let’s.

Exit WOLVES.
SCENE 2 – AKELA and the WOLVES accept MOWGLI into the pack.

MUSIC

Enter BAGHEERA, who narrates from front left.

BAGHEERA: (narrating) Now many years passed without much of a hitch; Mowgli grew up with the
wolf cubs and grew stronger as he grew older. Finally, he came of age alongside his adopted
brothers and sisters, and was able to attend the ceremony to be accepted as a member of the pack.
Enter AKELA, who sits on Council Rock, upper left. The WOLVES and MOWGLI enter from right to sit
below him. Enter BALOO, who remains right.
AKELA: You know the Law: Look – look well, O Wolves!
WOLVES: Look – look well, O Wolves!
AKELA: We are assembled to accept the cubs as members of the pack. The Jungle law states clearly
that every mother wolf has to bring their cub to the council meeting on the night of the full moon, so
that the others can get to know them. Look – look well Oh Wolves!
WOLF: I present my cub.

A cub steps up towards AKELA, who looks him over. The cub is trying to appear strong and fierce.

AKELA: Her teeth like made out of steel, she knocks like of a hammer, she will without a doubt
become a strong hunter; I advise that we accept her!

WOLVES: We accept her!

The cub smiles, then returns to its mother.

AKELA: Look – look well, O wolves! Remember the Jungle Law, the one who is accepted into the wolf
pack now, will be free to live and hunt amongst us, he will be one of us! Look – look well, O wolves!

WOLF: I present my cub.

A cub steps up towards AKELA, who looks him over. The cub is trying to appear agile and quick.

AKELA: His muscles like springs, his legs fast as the wind, he will become a great hunter, I suggest
that we accept him!

WOLVES: We accept him!

The cub returns.

WOLF: I present my cub.

She pokes her cub, who yawns and looks around, dazed. The cub clumsily makes his way to AKELA
after a nudge from the mother. AKELA looks him over.

AKELA: She is a little skew-eyed, she is a little knock-kneed, but she belongs to us; with time and
guidance she will become a brave hunter. Let us accept her!

WOLVES: We accept her!

AKELA: The meeting is over; the festivities can begin!

The WOLVES begin to chatter excitedly, the cubs looking pleased at their acceptance into the pack.
MUSIC.

WOLF: Oh wait, look, it is the little frog!

WOLF: What is he doing here?

AKELA: Indeed. What right do you claim to be accepted as one of the pack?
MOWGLI: I have grown up with you, I have hunted with you and I am here to present myself for
acceptance. I want to become a grown member of the pack as much as all the other cubs.
AKELA: We have never had a man-cub in our pack before, there is no precedent for this. But if you
wish to join the pack, you will need someone to speak for you. Who speaks for this man-cub? …
Among the Free People who speaks?
BALOO walks over to the pack, and places a hand on MOWGLI’s shoulder.
BALOO: I’ll speak for him. There’s no harm in a man-cub. Let him run with the pack, and be accepted
with the others. I’ll teach him the Jungle laws and he will be a true honour to the wolves just like any
of lupine descent. He needs a family; let that family be this pack, and let me be his tutor.
AKELA: Thank-you, Baloo, you speak wisely, and you may teach him as you help teach our cubs for
your place in our assembly, but we need another to agree to protect the man-cub, for it cannot be
done alone. Who speaks beside Baloo?
BAGHEERA steps into the scene from where he was narrating.
BAGHEERA: Akela, Free People, I hope you will excuse me, but I will speak for him.
AKELA: Bagheera, you know you normally have no influence in our assembly.
BAGHEERA: True, but the law of the Jungle says that a cub without protection, or whose lineage is
doubted, may be claimed for a price by any animal of the Jungle.
AKELA: This is true, however I desire to know what you propose to do with the man-cub. He was
found among the pack, it should be the pack’s son or sustenance that he becomes.
BAGHEERA: To kill a harmless man-cub would be a great shame. Besides, he may make better sport
for you when he is grown. Baloo has spoken for his learning, now I will speak for his protection.
AKELA: How can we guarantee your compliance?
BAGHEERA: I will bring you a kill by the morn to prove my word as an outsider, if you accept the
man-cub. In return I will watch the cub and ensure he remains neither a threat to himself nor to our
Jungle.
WOLF: Under Bagheera’s watch he can do us no harm.
WOLF: And Baloo will surely teach him well.
WOLF: Let him be accepted.
WOLF: Yes, let him be accepted!
AKELA: Then we have a decision! The man-cub will live amongst the pack, and Baloo and Bagheera
shall be responsible for his education and protection. On their words he is accepted by the pack.
MOWGLI moves up towards Council Rock.
WOLVES: We accept him.
MUSIC.
Exit WOLVES, MOWGLI and AKELA, to left, and BALOO, to right. BAGHEERA steps forward centre
stage to narrate.

SCENE 3 – BALOO and BAGHEERA discuss MOWGLI

BAGHEERA: (narrating) And so Mowgli was taught the laws of the Jungle by Baloo, who was both his
friend and his guide, whilst I watched over him in his leisure hours, as his protector. Mowgli’s
teaching included the hunting call, which must be repeated aloud till it is answered whenever one of
the Jungle-People hunts outside his own grounds. It means: ‘Give me leave to hunt here because I
am hungry’, and the answer is: ‘Hunt then for food but not for pleasure.’ Mowgli learned this from
Baloo and became a good hunter, for a man-cub.
BAGHEERA steps into the scene. Enter BALOO.
BALOO: Ah, Bagheera, there you are. I’ve been looking for you; It’s about Mowgli.
BAGHEERA: Oh yes, how is the little one doing?
BALOO: Good! Reckon I could take him down to the river later today? The kid needs a break, and the
fruit down there is ripest at this time of year.
BAGHEERA: A break? Baloo, the Jungle is not a haven; it’s a dangerous place for a man-cub and he
needs to realise it; he needs to learn the laws.
BALOO: But think how small he is, how can you actually expect his little head carry all that
information or listen to me waffling on? The boy just wants to have fun!
BAGHEERA: Is there anything in the Jungle too little to be killed? (pause, as they look at each other,
BALOO sighs and breaks eye contact first) He needs to learn if he wants to survive; that’s why you
have to teach him, not take him on day trips.
BALOO: But he’d love the paw-paws and prickly pears!
BAGHEERA: He can’t go, Baloo
BALOO: You would say that.
BAGHEERA: I’m only protecting him.
BALOO: Yeah, I’m sure he sees it that way.
BAGHEERA: What do you mean by that?
BALOO: Nothing.
BAGHEERA: What do you mean? Tell me!
BALOO: It’s just… he is only a kid. He’s going to spend his life either too scared to step a foot out on
his own or trying to sneak away at every opportunity – he’s realised you’re watching him you know,
I’ve seen him scanning the forest for you.
BAGHEERA: Being sneaky is not bad for him. It may teach him to beware of the Jungle’s perils, to
scan the area for dangers like that.
BALOO: But it’s no fun to spend a life like that.
BAGHEERA: At least it is safe.
BALOO: Hmmmmm.
BAGHEERA: I’m giving him security.
BALOO: No, you’re giving him paranoia. Besides, I’m giving him independence by teaching him the
Master Words of the Jungle, they’ll protect from every predator on four feet.
BAGHEERA: How so?
BALOO: He’ll be able to communicate with any creature. I’ll call Mowgli now and he shall say them –
if he will do it for such a grumpy audience, anyway (he chuckles). Come, Little Frog!
Enter MOWGLI, rubbing his head
MOWGLI: Yes?
BALOO: What’s up, kid?
MOWGLI: My head is ringing like a bee-tree.
BAGHEERA: Why is that, little one?
MOWGLI: Well, I, um…
BALOO: Oh, Mowgli, what did you do?
MOWGLI: I maybe fell from a vine whilst trying to swing between trees.
BALOO: What are you like!?
BAGHEERA: Mowgli, you really mustn’t overestimate yourself like that.
MOWGLI: I’m fine!
BAGHEERA: What if you had landed on a rock, or in the river?
MOWGLI: Well, I didn’t.
BAGHEERA: And let’s be thankful of that fact.
BALOO: (shooting a disapproving look at Bagheera) Let’s be thankful the kid has no fear.
MOWGLI: (perking up) Yes, I’m fearless!
BAGHEERA: (shooting an even more disapproving look at Baloo) That’s all well and good, as long as
you know what you’re doing.
MOWGLI: I do! I’ve been learning lots with Baloo today!
BALOO: (to BAGHEERA) See! (to MOWGLI) Tell Bagheera the Master Words of the Jungle that I have
taught you today.
MOWGLI: (proud) Master Words for which people? The Jungle has many tongues and I know them
all now.
BALOO: You know some, not all. It is enough from some people to only know a rough version the
Jungle Law, but you are different Mowgli, which means you have to know it inside and out in order
to be accepted, and so that other animals can see you are from the Jungle, rather than consider you
a stranger. Say the word for the Hunting-Peoples then. Actually, no, let’s hear the Jungle Law first:
MOWGLI: Now this is the Law of the Jungle — as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk, the Law runneth forward and back —
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.

BALOO: Now say the word for the Hunting-Peoples then.

MOWGLI: We be of one blood, you and I (with an accent)

BALOO: Good. Now for the birds.
MOWGLI: We be of one blood, you and I (with a whistle)
BALOO: Now for the Snake-People.
MOWGLI: We be of one blood you and I (with a hiss)
BALOO: It’s not ‘sss’ at the end, it’s ‘ssssss’.
MOWGLI: (playfully) ‘sssssss’
BALOO: There – there! That was worth a few lights bruises
BAGHEERA: (startled) Bruises!?
BALOO: Better he should be bruised by one who loves him than that he should come to worse harm
through ignorance.
BAGHEERA: You hit him!?
BALOO: No, of course not! I throw fruit at him. He gets to eat it if he catches, but he often misses, as
you can see.
MOWGLI: It’s okay Bagheera, I’m used to it; it makes me stronger.
BAGHEERA: Oh, Mowgli! (turning to Baloo) Look what you’ve done!
MOWGLI: I’m fine, I’m fine! Anyway, once I’m strong enough to look after myself, you won’t need to
follow me around checking up on me.
BALOO looks at BAGHEERA and raises his eyes.
BAGHEERA: Until you can climb a tree without falling off the first branch, I am going to continue to
protect you.
MOWGLI: I can climb!
BAGHEERA: Not quickly enough; you are too slippy, little frog. That is also the reason you fell from
that vine today.
BALOO: She’s actually got a point there, kid.
BAGHEERA: You have to be more on your guard than a regular cub. Man might be dangerous to the
jungle, but the jungle is equally dangerous to man.
MOWGLI: I know, I know.
BALOO: We just want you to be safe, that’s all.
MOWGLI: I know, and I promise I’m trying really hard.
BAGHEERA: Okay, as a treat, you can go down to the river with Baloo to pick paw-paws and prickly
pears, as long as you bring me some back!
MOWGLI: Yes! Thanks, Bagheera!

Music
MOWGLI runs to hug BAGHEERA, then dances off stage with BALOO, humming together. BAGHEERA
remains on stage.
SCENE 4 – SHERE KHAN comes for MOWGLI
Music
AKELA sits on Council Rock, upper left, with the WOLVES below him. (BAGHEERA is still onstage, but
distanced)
AKELA: You know the Law: Look – look well, O Wolves!
WOLVES: Look – look well, O Wolves!
MUSIC.
SHERE KHAN enters and growls.
AKELA: Shere Khan, you do not often grace us with your presence; what is it that you need?

SHERE KHAN: My quarry.

AKELA: Which is?

SHERE KHAN: I am come to claim the man-cub. He was my kill by rights years ago and now that he is
a fully-fledged member of the pack he is free to be my kill again.
WOLF: You still want our man-cub?
WOLF: After all this time?
SHERE KHAN: Always! That man-cub belongs to me!
AKELA: He will have the protection of the pack, Shere Khan, and a pack who takes on their foe
together is strong; it is only the lone wolf who will struggle in the face of adversity. You have no
power here.
SHERE KHAN: You may have the upper hand here on this rock, Akela, but you are old, and I am
patient. I have waited many years in the shadows of the jungle. I am prepared to bide my time a
little more.
AKELA: What do you mean by that?
SHERE KHAN: I’ve watched the man-cub from afar but always he is too close to the panther or the
bear. Now he is come of age and will wander out alone I will take my opportunity; he shall be mine.
WOLF: If you lay a paw on the man-cub, we shall have vengeance.
SHERE KHAN: Pah! You shall never find me. I intend to move to better ground once I have had my
man-cub. His people are tearing this part of the jungle up, anyway; I have no desire to remain here.
Besides, don’t tell me the man-cub actually means anything to you; you would not waste the energy
of the pack on a lost cause such as that, surely?
WOLF: He is a member of the pack.
WOLF: We would do the same for any of our brothers.
WOLF: Take none of us or take all of us as one.
SHERE KHAN: Then you are even more hopelessly attached than I’d hoped. I have no qualms about
taking the pack, however. I will strike you a deal: get rid of the man-cub within a week, or I shall
return and fight you personally for the right to govern the pack.
WOLF: You can’t do such a thing!
SHERE KHAN: Oh, I can, and I will. If you refuse or try to cheat me, I will kill any of your cubs in place
of the man-cub.
WOLF: No!
WOLF: Cursed tiger!
AKELA: It seems you leave me no option, for though Mowgli is part of our pack we cannot forsake
our own young. How do you propose we settle this?
SHERE KHAN: The Jungle Law states that if the pack leader cannot kill a bullock on demand he may
be replaced by he who can. I challenge you to hunt with me. Whoever catches the bullock wins.
AKELA: Very well, Shere Khan, we go to hunt.
WOLF: What? No!
WOLF: Akela you can’t do this!
AKELA: I must do it. If I win, we will rejoice. If I lose, I hope you will honour me by staying true as a
pack in the face of such adversity.
MUSIC.
SHERE KHAN smiles wryly as he turns on his heels and leaves to the left. The WOLVES look distraught
but AKELA is thoughtful. After a moment he steps down from Council Rock and follows SHERE KHAN
off stage. The WOLVES murmur to each other, then some exit in the same direction as AKELA.
Enter BALOO, nonchalant, eating the paw-paws but then realises something is wrong; he and
BAGHEERA talk to each other, aside, as MOWGLI walks over to them.

BAGHEERA: What on earth are you doing, eating paw-paws at a time like this? There’s no time for
paw-paws!

BALOO: Mmmmm? (looks at BAGHEERA, confused)

BAGHEERA: What we feared has happened, Shere Khan has come for Mowgli.

BALOO: What are we going to do about the kid?

BAGHEERA: We will have to take him back to the man-village.
BALOO: That’s a long way, it’s out of the Jungle!
BAGHEERA: I know, which is why he will need help to get there.
BALOO: Does he really have to go?
BAGHEERA: I fear there is no other option.
The WOLVES re-enter, worried, and address those who stayed.
WOLF: Akela has failed, Shere Khan wins the challenge.
WOLF: What? No!
WOLF: This cannot be!
WOLF: I’m afraid it is true, we are without our chief.
WOLF: What will we do?
WOLF: We’ll have to appoint a new leader.
WOLF: It’s all his fault (pointing at MOWGLI)
WOLF: Yes, if it weren’t for the man-cub this would never have happened.
WOLF: But he can’t be blamed, surely?
WOLF: Who else is there to blame?
WOLF: The man-cub has cost Akela his chiefdom.
WOLF: He has cost our pack its leader.
WOLF: The strength of the pack is the wolf.
WOLF: Thanks to him we have lost a wolf, we are weakened.
WOLF: But the strength of the wolf is the pack. We cannot condemn him for Shere Khan’s fury.
WOLF: We cannot condone him for bringing it here.
MOWGLI: Please, I never intended for this to happen.
WOLF: That doesn’t change the fact that it did.
WOLF: We cannot allow you to remain a member of the pack.
MOWGLI: Is there no way I can make it up to you?
WOLF: There must be some way.
WOLF: I don’t see how.
WOLF: He must leave.
WOLF: It would be for the best.
MOWGLI: Okay, well… I guess I will go.
BALOO: What? No! Mowgli, you belong here.
MOWGLI: No, I don’t. I’m grateful that you’ve treated me like one of the pack, but I am not a wolf.
I’m not wanted here any more (faltering, runs off before he can change his mind)
BALOO: Mowgli, wait!
WOLF: Let him go.
BALOO: But he isn’t safe alone out there!
WOLF: He endangered our pack; it’s his fault.
WOLF: We can’t stop him, if he wants to go.
BALOO: You aren’t even trying! You’d let him die to save your own, but he is meant to be one of
your own! You should be ashamed!
BAGHEERA: Baloo, Baloo! Calm down; you cannot blame them for protecting their pack.
BALOO: I… just… I’m worried about the kid. I’m sorry.
BAGHEERA: I know, I’m worried too, which is why we’re going after him.
Exit BAGHEERA and BALOO in the same direction as MOWGLI; exit WOLVES in the opposite direction.
MUSIC.

SCENE 5 – MOWGLI meets the VULTURES

Enter VULTURES, from right, carrying a carcass with them.

VULTURE: It seems we have a winner, lads.
VULTURE: I told you this guy wouldn’t see the next rainy season!
VULTURE: I’m disappointed he didn’t hold out for a few months, to be honest.
VULTURE: Well, obviously, because then you’d have won the bet!
VULTURE: I’m still surprised you did win!
VULTURE: Don’t be a sore loser.
VULTURE: Yeah, look on the bright side, we could be carrying you instead!
VULTURE: Alright, alright!
Enter MOWGLI, from left, looking around him.
VULTURE: Well, well, what have we here?
They put down the carcass and move towards MOWGLI, who looks over to them.
VULTURE: Where are you going, man-cub?
MOWGLI: Anywhere!
VULTURE: That’s a strange place to be going.
MOWGLI: Well, I’m not really going to anywhere; I’m running from somewhere.
VULTURE: Where did you come from?
MOWGLI: Council Rock.
VULTURE: Where will you go?
MOWGLI: I… I really don’t know.
VULTURE: Come with us!
VULTURE: Yeah, join us!
VULTURE: If you’ve got the stomach for it, that is.
MOWGLI: Why, what are you doing?
VULTURE: Our job.
VULTURE: By which we mean clearing up dead things.
MOWGLI: Oh, that sounds… interesting.
VULTURE: Well, naturally, it’s not for everyone.
VULTURE: It pays well, though.
VULTURE: You get used to it.
VULTURE: Give it a go, if you like, see what you think
MOWGLI: Well, I’m not sure…
VULTURE: Scared?
MOWGLI: Me? No; I’m fearless! It just sounds…
VULTURE: Disgusting?
MOWGLI: Well, yes.
VULTURE: Beggars can’t be choosers
MOWGLI: I suppose it can’t hurt…
VULTURE: There you go!
VULTURE: You can help us with this one (gesturing to the carcass).
MOWGLI: Um… okay… what do I do?
VULTURE: Here, you take my place, (pointing) get that end.
MOWGLI moves round to where the VULTURE had indicated and bends with the others, ready to pick
up the carcass.
VULTURE: On three…
VULTURE: 1…
VULTURE: 2…
VULTURE: 3!
MOWGLI and the VULTURES all pick up the carcass and begin to move it, but something falls off and
MOWGLI loses his grip, gagging. MOWGLI runs to the back of the stage and ‘vomits’. The VUTLTURES
look between each other and shrug.
VULTURE: Ah well, like we said: not for everyone.
VULTURE: Obviously not for you.
VULTURE: Good on you for trying, though.
MOWGLI: (returning, wiping his mouth and clutching his stomach) Oh, I’ll never fit in anywhere.
VULTURE: Nonsense!
VULTURE: You fit in with your pack don’t you?
MOWGLI: I did, but I can’t go back to my pack.
VULTURE: Why not?
VULTURE: Are they dead?
MOWGLI: What? No!
VULTURE: Shame.
VULTURE: So, why can’t you stay there?
MOWGLI: Shere Khan wants me dead.
VULTURE: Well, if he succeeds, we’ll be first to know.
VULTURE: Not that we’d take pleasure in that job.
VULTURE: Why do you have to leave for that?
MOWGLI: He’ll fight the pack if I stay and I don’t want them to get hurt because of me.
VULTURE: Sounds like you’re doing the right thing, kid.
MOWGLI: Yeah, except… never mind.
VULTURE: What is it?
MOWGLI: I don’t belong anywhere else in this jungle.
VULTURE: You sure? You look like you belong in the Bandar-log.
MOWGLI: Bandar-log? I’ve never heard of them.
VULTURE: Well, you look like one of them.
VULTURE: Just slightly less hairy.
VULTURE: And slightly more skinny.
MOWGLI: Oh, okay. What are they like?
VULTURE: Ah, they’re alright.
VULTURE: A bit noisy.
VULTURE: A bit messy.
VULTURE: A bit smelly.
VULTURE: But not bad, on the whole.
VULTURE: They have a lot of fun.
VULTURE: And not many rules.
VULTURE: You’d probably enjoy it.
MOWGLI: I might fit in there, do you think?
VULTURE: Go and find out.
MOWGLI: Where can I find these… B-B-Band…
VULTURE: Bandar-log?
MOWGLI: Yeah, Bandar-logs.
VULTURE: The Bandar-log tribe are a particular set of monkeys.
VULTURE: They live in the temple ruins.
VULTURE: They like the grandeur, you see.
VULTURE: Go that way (points off to right) and you’ll hear their tribe before long.
MOWGLI: Thank you!
MOWGLI runs off stage in the direction he was pointed.
VULTURE: Well, let’s hope he finds his place there.
VULTURE: I hope we see him again.
VULTURE: We’re bound to eventually.
VULTURE: I meant alive!
VULTURE: Oh, right, yeah.
VULTURE: Yeah, nice kid. Well, lads, this fella ain’t gonna move himself.
VULTURE: Okay, let’s pick him back up.
VULTURE: Agreed. On three…
They bend to pick the carcass up.
VULTURE: 1…
VULTURE: 2…
VULTURE: 3!
The VULTURES pick up the carcass together then exit with it to left.
MUSIC.
SCENE 6 – MOWGLI and the MONKEYS

Enter BAGHEERA, front left, to narrate.

BAGHEERA: Following the advice of the vultures, as Baloo and I later discovered, Mowgli went to
search out the Bandar-log – the tribe without law or reason – in the heart of the Jungle temple ruins.
Enter MONKEYS from left. They move to centre stage and chat amongst themselves.
MONKEY: What a beautiful day for doing nothing!
MONKEY: I could swing from this vine for hours.
MONKEY: I’m sleepy.
MONKEY: I’m hungry.
MONKEY: You’re always hungry!
One of the MONKEYS pickpockets another’s banana and begins to eat it.
MONKEY: Hey! That’s mine.
MONKEY: (through mouthfuls of banana) Well I’m eating it, so it’s mine now.
MONKEY: I can’t believe you.
MONKEY: I don’t care.
MONKEY: You would do the same thing and you know it.
MONKEY: Any of us would.
MONKEY: (with banana) Exactly!
Enter MOWGLI, from right, and walks over to the group of MONKEYS.
MOWGLI: Hello! Are you the Bandar-logs I have heard of?
MONKEY: We’re Bandar-logs, yeah.
MONKEY: Who told you about us?
MOWGLI: The vultures tell me we could be friends.
MONKEY: Oh, do they?
MONKEY: What did they say about us?
MONKEY: Did they say we were the best animals in the Jungle?
MONKEY: We are.
MOWGLI: Um… they said you have fun.
MONKEY: We do!
MOWGLI: And that I wouldn’t need to obey rules here.
MONKEY: Too true.
MONKEY: Rules are boring.
MONKEY: You don’t need rules.
MONKEY: We don’t have rules in this town.
MOWGLI: What kind of town is this?
MONKEY: It was a temple for the humans,
MONKEY: But then they abandoned it and it’s been ours ever since,
MONKEY: Because we are the wisest people of the jungle,
MONKEY: And most like the humans.
MOWGLI: How do you know you’re the wisest people of the jungle?
MONKEY: We know it, full stop.
MOWGLI: You know the Jungle law then?
MONKEY: What? No!
MONKEY: We don’t follow the law.
MONKEY: We get what we want anyway.
MONKEY: Besides, we are the ‘wisest’ people of the Jungle.
MONKEY: So we don’t need any laws.
MOWGLI: But how do you survive?
MONKEY: We don’t simply survive, we live.
MONKEY: It seems like you need to live a little.
MOWGLI: I want to live! I want to have fun!
MONKEY: You sound like one of us.
MOWGLI: The vultures said we were alike!
MONKEY: Yeah, Look at his ears, his nose
MONKEY: And he stands on two feet too
MONKEY: We’re practically related!
MOWGLI: We are?
MONKEY: Well, we look alike
MONKEY: You’re only lacking a tail
MONKEY: He is of the noble kind
MONKEY: He must be a human!
MOWGLI: Well, yes I am
MONKEY: Indeed, you must be the man-cub, the little frog!
MOWGLI: I am, I’m Mowgli, though I have lived with the wolves until now.
MONKEY: Wolves? But they’re nothing like you!
MONKEY: We’re more like you!
MOWGLI: I know that now.
MONKEY: You’d fit right in here.
MONKEY: We could teach you how to have fun,
MONKEY: And you could teach us how to make fire!
MOWGLI: Fire?
MONKEY: Yes, we want to make fire like humans do.
MOWGLI: Cool!
MONKEY: You can teach us.
MONKEY: You can be our king!
MOWGLI: Wait, I…
MONKEY: You can make us like humans!
MONKEY: What are humans like?
MOWGLI: Well, I, um, I don’t really know.
MONKEY: We want to learn the ways of humans.
MOWGLI: I’m afraid I don’t know much about them.
MONKEY: But you are a human!
MOWGLI: Yes, but I have never met another one.
MONKEY: Oh, so you can’t help us?
MOWGLI: I don’t think so.
MONKEY: You’re a rubbish king!
MONKEY: Yeah, you’re useless.
MOWGLI: Woah, I can’t help that!
MONKEY: Well then, you can’t help us.
MOWGLI: (to himself, to one side of stage) All that the vultures said about the Bandar-log is true.
They have no law, no Hunting Call, and no leaders – nothing but foolish words and little picking
thievish hands. I thought I wanted freedom but this is chaos. If I am starved or killed here, it will be
all my own fault. I must try to return to my own Jungle or find the man-village. I will belong there.
Enter KAA, to right. The MONKEYS and MOWGLI don’t notice her yet.
MOWGLI: (to the monkeys) I don’t want to be in your tribe any more.
KAA: (aside) Ssso this is the man-cub. Mmmm, and all alone. Once I’ve gotten those pesky flea-
bitten sssavages out of the way…
MOWGLI: I don’t belong here; you people don’t respect the Jungle or even each other. It’s no fun to
live without any kind of order at all. It’s smelly and noisy and chaotic. I don’t want to stay here.
MONKEYS: (speaking over one another) What? No! Why? You must!
The MONKEYS begin to close in on MOWGLI, becoming more and more aggressive and loud.
Eventually, KAA intervenes.
KAA: Ssstop! (the monkeys become mysteriously frozen, looking at Kaa) The man-cub does not want
to partake in your sssilliness, you uncultured apesss. Come man-cub, we mussst go now.
KAA and MOWGLI run off stage, the MONKEYS snap out of it, look at one another bemused, then
chase them
BAGHEERA: (narrating, front left) Now, Mowgli had faced the dangers of the jungle every day but
never had he encountered an enemy disguised as a friend. Kaa the snake was by far the greatest
danger our man-cub had come across, but he was unaware of it, being too grateful to have been
saved from the Bandar-log, so he went with her with his guard down.

SCENE 7 – VULTURES tell BALOO and BAGHEERA where MOWGLI was last seen, with KAA

BAGHEERA: Meanwhile, myself and Baloo had been searching for Mowgli, being both wiser and
more experienced than the man-cub in the perils of the Jungle. We came across the vultures, who
struck fear into our hearts when they told us what they had seen.
(BAGHEERA steps into the scene, met by Baloo from the other side of the stage)
BALOO: I can’t find him anywhere! Any luck at your end?
BAGHEERA: None, I’m afraid.
BALOO: I’m worried about him, Bagheera.
BAGHEERA: You say that as if I’m not; I want him to be safe just as much as you.
BALOO: I hope I trained him well enough to survive until we find him.
BAGHEERA: I’m sure he will, we’ll just have to keep searching.
(Enter VULTURES)
VULTURE: What are you searching for?
BAGHEERA: I don’t suppose that’s your business
VULTURE: Depends, because if you’re searching for a scrawny man-cub we might be able to help.
VULTURE: No, you heard the panther, that’s none of our business.
BALOO: Wait, wait! You’ve seen Mowgli!?
VULTURE: We’ve seen a scrawny man-cub.
VULTURE: If that’s who you mean.
BALOO: That’s Mowgli! Oh my god, he’s safe!
VULTURE: Weeeelllll…
BAGHEERA: What?
VULTURE: Depends on your definition of safe, really.
BALOO: Tell us where he is!
VULTURE: Depends, what’s in it for us?
BAGHEERA: If you don’t tell us where the man-cub is I will make you sorry, you can depend on that.
VULTURE: Alright, alright; we may have seen the man-cub
VULTURE: He was among the Bandar-logs.
VULTURE: But then he went with Kaa!
BAGHEERA: Then he is in grave danger, we must go and get him at once.
VULTURE: Yeah, good luck retrieving him.
VULTURE: I’d hurry up if I were you.
VULTURE: Before we have to remove what’s left.
BALOO: (disgusted) Oh god
BAGHEERA: Don’t you dare talk of Mowgli like that.
BALOO: You don’t really think….
BAGHEERA: No, you taught him how to handle himself.
BALOO: But Kaa is unlike anything I’ve prepared him for.
BAGHEERA: The we must lose no time in finding them (turning to the vultures) Do you know where
they went?
VULTURES: (all pointing in different directions) That way!
The VULTURES begin to bicker among themselves as to which way MOWGLI and KAA went.
VULTURE: It was definitely that way.
VULTURE: Maybe.
VULTURE: Probably.
VULTURE: We think.
BAGHEERA: (sarcastically) Well, thanks for the clarity.
VULTURE: Look, panther, we don’t need to help you.
VULTURE: Yeah, this is out of the goodness of our hearts.
VULTURE: And will probably see us out of pocket, too.
VULTURE: So take it or leave it, but that’s what we know.
BAGHEERA seems disgruntled and scoffs at the VULTURES, but BALOO tries to reconcile.
BALOO: Thank you for your help.
VULTURE: Think nothing of it.
VULTURE: Although, you will be doing us out of a job.
VULTURE: Yeah, maybe think of a courtesy cheque.
VULTURE: But, seriously, think nothing of it. Really.
BAGHEERA: It is true we owe you a great debt, but do not push your look, vultures.
BALOO: Yes, thank you, but we must go to Mowgli.
BAGHEERA: Indeed, let us go.
Exit BAGHEERA and BALOO in one direction, VULTURES in the other.

SCENE 8 – KAA gets her coils around MOWGLI

BAGHEERA: (narrating) Kaa was feared in the jungle, particularly by the Monkeys, for though she
often tempted them to her company, none who had dared to embrace her had made it out alive.
They did not care enough for Mowgli to risk their lives retrieving him from her grasp. Even we, who
were familiar with Kaa’s methods of seduction enough to resist her, were concerned to learn where
Mowgli had gone, for we had not warned him of her charms, and we feared he would succumb more
easily than most.
BAGHEERA exits; KAA and MOWGLI enter, they have been running. MOWGLI is out of breath at first
but KAA seems unfazed.
MUSIC begins, very quietly, crescendoing as KAA’s control over MOWGLI increases.
MOWGLI: (panting) I - I think we made it. I can’t hear those crazy monkeys any more.
KAA: Cccertainly. You’re a quick runner man-cub, though having legs must ssslow you down…
MOWGLI: (sitting downstage left) Slow me down? But, how would I run without legs?
KAA: (reclining on the stage blocks) We sssnakes don’t have legs and yet we can move ssswifter in
the trees than Chil the kite can in the air!
MOWGLI: Wow, I hadn’t ever thought of it like that. Can you teach me?
KAA: I’d love to man-cub, then we can ssspeed through the trees together.
MOWGLI: I’d like to move through the trees easily; Bagheera says I’m a terrible climber.
KAA: I can teach you that too, if you like.
MOWGLI: You would?
KAA: Why, of courssse.
MOWGLI: Cool!
KAA: Why so ssscared looking?
MOWGLI: I… well… I’ve just never met a snake so long and strong as you. What sort are you?
KAA: An Indian python.
MOWGLI: Oh wow. Thank you for saving me, by the way. Ahem- (he slears his throat, takes a depp
breath as he recalls Baloo’s teaching, and pointedly recites:) ‘We be of one blood you and I’.
KAA: You’re quite welcome. I have no love for the Bandar-Log but I’ve always had a liking for
humans.
KAA licks her lips, MOWGLI does not notice
MOWGLI: Who are you anyway?
KAA: (walking downstage) Why, I am Kaa. I know you man-cub, you’re the one they call Little Frog.
You’re Mowgli.
MOWGLI: How do you know that?
KAA: That old bear Baloo told me.
MOWGLI: You know Baloo?
KAA: Oh yesss. He’s an old friend. Bagheera too. It was they who asked me to sssave you from the
monkey people.
MOWGLI: Really? Well then maybe we should get back to them… they’ll be worried.
Kaa sits down next to Mowgli, uncomfortably close, and places a hand on his leg to stop him moving.
KAA: (darkly) I’m sssure they’ll be fine. You look tiiired and it’s getting dark…no time for travelling.
MOWGLI: But… I don’t know this part of the jungle. It could be dangerous!
KAA: Dangerousss?
MOWGLI: I mean… I’m not afraid!
KAA: I assure you it’s perfectly sssafe.
MOWGLI: O-okay but…um…where would I sleep?
KAA: You can ssslumber in my coils, Mowgli
MOWGLI: Your coils? But –
Kaa drapes a coil over Mowgli’s shoulders
KAA: Sssee how sssmooth and sssoft they are?
MOWGLI: Yeah…
KAA: Why don’t you look at me when I’m talking to you man-cub?
MOWGLI: Huh? Oh, nothing, it’s just…
KAA: Sssay it, go on…
MOWGLI: Well… I saw what you did to those monkeys, it was… as if they’d been hypnotised or
something.
KAA: Oh pleassse man-cub. I only want to sssee your properly. It’sss okay. Jussst look at me.
MOWGLI finally looks into KAA’s eyes. He is surprised by the hypnosis. His eyes widen and his mouth
drops open as he becomes captivated.
MUSIC
KAA: (nodding) Peeerfect.
MOWGLI, nodding with her, suddenly shakes his head and snaps out of the spell.
MUSIC stops abruptly.
MOWGLI runs away, stage right.
MOWGLI: No Kaa! I don’t trust you!
KAA: Awww come on mancub, you can trussst me. I’m a friend.
MOWGLI: (covering his eyes with his arms) Stop it Kaa. Leave me alone. I can look after myself.
KAA: Oh I’m sssure you can. Sssuch a ssstrong, handsssome mancub. . But I hear you want to stay in
the jungle? Surely you don’t wanna be alone?
MOWGLI: No… I want a people more than anything. The wolves, the vultures, the monkeys, none of
them are who I belong with.
KAA: You belong with me Mowgli, we’d be a perfect match. Ssstay with me?
MOWGLI: I said leave me alone!
KAA: Oh that’s sssad mancub. I was jusssst getting to know you. And now you won’t even look at
me. You’re not ssscared of me are you?
MOWGLI: Well I-I-
KAA: Jussst look at me man-cub. Look into my eyes when I’m ssspeaking to you.
MOWGLI: I’m not gonna look at you Kaa
KAA: Come on. Relaxxx. You know you want to. Jussst one tiny glance.
MOWGLI: You’re going to hypnotize me!
KAA: I wouldn’t do a thing like that. I promissse.
MOWGLI: You promise?
KAA: Yessss
MOWGLI: Well… I guess one tiny glance can’t hurt
KAA: There’sss a good boy
MUSIC has begun again, quietly.
MOWGLI parts his hands just slightly, keeping one eye covered. He is met by KAA’s wide, hypnotizing
eyes. MOWGLI soon becomes transfixed, his arms falling loosely by his side as he leans forwards,
ever more drawn in. KAA smiles and beckons him to her.
MOWGLI: (sleep-walking forward) Please Kaa…
KAA: Shhhhh. No talking now. Jussst ssstare.
KAA begins to sway and revolve her head, eyes still fixed on MOWGLI’s. He helplessly follows her
gaze.
KAA: Time for bed sssleepy head. Pleassse go to sssleeep. Pleeeeasssse go to sssssleeeep.
Ssssssleeeep deep.
KAA lays an arm leisurely across his shoulders. MOWGLI’s eyelids are drooping, his mouth ajar.
MUSIC cresendoes.
KAA: Ah, so soft is your ssskin man-cub. I could confussse you for a Bandar Log on a dark night. But
much better looking (she giggles). Ah the thingsss I could do with you… I could have you fetching and
carrying food for me all day… I could make you sssleepwalk along my coils so your bare feet work out
all my aches… or I could just ssswallow you whole as a midnight sssnack…
MOWGLI: (sleepily) That would be nice…
KAA: Oh you think ssso man-cub? Let me jussst get you in my coils while I decide.
KAA wraps her coils around MOWGLI, leaning ever closer but never breaking eye contact.
MUSIC loud.
MOWGLI: (mumbling) Ba…Ba…Bag-guh-gheera…
KAA: Shhhh, relax yourssself jungle boy… deliciousss jungle boy…
KAA tightens around his neck, silencing him. MOWGLI gulps. KAA leads him to the blocks and he sits
down, leaning against them with legs outstretched, smiling in his sleep. Before long, BAGHEERA and
BALOO rush in from the other side of stage and stop short, KAA and MOWGLI do not notice them.
BALOO: (whispering) Look Bagheera, she’s got him completely under her spell.
BAGHEERA: (also whispering) Go and distract her.
BALOO: Okay (he waits for BAGHEERA to slink to the back of the stage) … Kaa! Kaa, get off the man-
cub, now!
KAA spins her head around whilst hissing angrily.
MUSIC stops as she does so.
KAA: Sssss it’s you! Get away you oaf!
BALOO: Sorry, can’t do that.
KAA starts to move towards BALOO with menace.
KAA: You’ll pay for interrupting my dinner with the ssscrumptious mancub, bear!
BALOO: Is that all you’ve got? Empty threats?
KAA: Oh they aren’t empty, trussst me.
BALOO: Well you better hurry up and deliver on them.
KAA: Oh pleassse, I’ll catch you any day Baloo; I’ve seen rocks that move faster than you!
When KAA is close enough, she lashes forward at BALOO, who swipes at her and overpowers her.
KAA recoils in an attempt to escape, only to find BAGHEERA right behind her, growling.
BAGHEERA: Going somewhere?
KAA hisses, for lack of anything else to do. She is so focussed on BAGHEERA that she doesn’t notice
BALOO go over to MOWGLI who is snoring softly.
BAGHEERA: You’re outnumbered Kaa, give it up.
KAA: Do you really think a panther and an oaf can sssstop me?
BAGHEERA: You’d have to get through me to get to that boy now Kaa.
KAA: You underestimate my affection for the man-cub.
BAGHEERA: You underestimate mine.
KAA hisses but BAGHEERA prowls closer, forcing KAA to back up to the right of stage. As he does so,
BALOO and MOWGLI are to the left:
BALOO: Wake up Mowgli!
MOWGLI: (jerking back awake, confused) Wha- Bagheera!? Baloo!? What are you doing here? What
am I doing here? Where is here?
BALOO: You were about to be Kaa’s dinner, kid!
MOWGLI: Kaa? Oh! She had these eyes…and I…I tried to look away but they were so… (he shudders)
KAA: (aside) Oh jussst wait till I get my coils around you again boy…
BAGHEERA: I’m just glad you’re safe. Now let’s go.
Exit BAGHEERA, BALOO and MOWGLI, to left. KAA looks on from right, irritated.
KAA: Ssspoilsportsss!
Exit KAA to right.
SCENE 9 – They go to the man-village
Music
Enter BAGHEERA, BALOO, and MOWGLI, from left. They move toward front centre stage, looking out
to the audience.
MOWGLI: Where are we?
BAGHEERA: Almost at the man-village, it will be safer for you to be there if not with the pack.
BALOO: There it is, look! (he points out to the audience)
MOWGLI: (looking out) Oh yes, I see it! (he watches intently for a while) So that’s what other
humans are like.
BALOO: What do you think, kid? This look like a place you could feel at home?
MOWGLI: Maybe.
BAGHEERA: It is very likely your real parents lived here.
MOWGLI looks on, contemplative, but is silent when BAGHEERA and BALOO look to see his reaction.
BALOO: What’s up, kid?
MOWGLI: I don’t know, it’s just so different.
BAGHEERA: Well, yes, it will be a big adjustment, but these are your people.
MOWGLI: I don’t know any of them, how do I become accepted into their pack?
BAGHEERA: Well, that’s the thing. The humans don’t have a pack.
MOWGLI: No pack!? But how do they survive? The strength of the wolf is the pack!
BAGHEERA: Well yes, in the Jungle the pack thrives on teamwork, each wolf is as valuable as the
others. In the human world, some are more important than others.
MOWGLI: Oh, like a chief? Like Akela was?
BALOO: Not exactly.
BAGHEERA: Their system is more complicated. There are levels of power.
MOWGLI: Who decides that?
BALOO: Good question.
BAGHEERA: Usually power passes from father to son. So the same family will remain in control.
BALOO: It’s not like a pack, kid.
BAGHEERA: The wolves may share parenting duties but in human society a cub stays with its natural
mother and father. They live one family per hut, rather than the entire pack in one den.
MOWGLI: Oh, that’s strange.
BAGHEERA: It may seem odd to us, but in the human world it’s normal.
MOWGLI: That cub is on her own, where are her parents?
BAGHEERA: They must have left her.
BALOO: She looks kinda sad.
MOWGLI: Will I be sad if I go there? I don’t even have parents.
BAGHEERA: No, of course not! (shooting a warning glance at BALOO, who looks back confused.
Then, pointedly:) You’ll fit right in.
MOWGLI: I don’t know.
They react to something they see in the man village, some kind of bullying.
BALOO: Woah, that wasn’t cool.
MOWGLI: Why did they do that?
BALOO: I don’t know, kid.
BAGHEERA: Why didn’t anybody help her?
BAGHEERA: It is a man-eat-man world.
BALOO: I didn’t realise humans could be so cruel.
MOWGLI: You guys would never treat me like that.
BALOO: Damn right, kid, we wouldn’t.
BAGHEERA: No, but…
MOWGLI: Bagheera surely you don’t expect me to go there?
BAGHEERA: It’s safer…
MOWLGI: It’s not! You saw that just now; man does not look after his own in the way that the pack
do, and I wouldn’t survive there because all I know is my Jungle.
BALOO: (quietly) The kid has a point, Bagheera.
BAGHEERA: I… I…
MOWGLI: I can’t stay there. I belong with you; you’re the closest thing to a family I have. I certainly
don’t have one there! (pointing)
BAGHEERA: I just don’t want Shere Khan to hurt you.
MOWGLI: With your help, and with the rest of the pack, he won’t. I’m sure of it. Please, just… just
don’t abandon me here.
BALOO: Oh, kid, we wouldn’t ever abandon you!
BAGHEERA: We thought we were doing what was best for you.
MOWGLI: The pack is best for me.
BAGHEERA: I see that now.
BALOO: Yeah, let’s get away from here, and get you home.
BAGHEERA: What about the tiger?
MOWGLI: I have you guys by my side, I’m not scared of her!
BALOO: That’s the spirit, kid!
BAGHEERA: Are you sure you want to face Shere Khan?
MOWGLI: If it’s my only chance to be part of that pack again then yes, I’d face anything. Plus, I know
I can count on you guys to support me.
BAGHEERA: I suppose
They run off stage, exit left.

Music
SCENE 10 – They return to defeat Shere Khan

Enter WOLVES, from right.

WOLF: How was the hunt?
WOLF: Unsuccessful, again.
WOLF: We are weakened without Akela.
WOLF: It is true, the strength of the pack is the wolf.
WOLF: And we don’t even have Bagheera or Baloo’s help.
WOLF: We should never have shunned Mowgli.
WOLF: I miss him.
WOLF: And I miss Baloo and Bagheera too.
WOLF: We have no choice but to make the best of what we have.
WOLF: If we do not have a successful hunt soon we will surely suffer.
WOLF: Shere Khan keeps hunting on our ground.
WOLF: We can’t stop her. She is technically our leader.
WOLF: She is a tyrant.
WOLF: We have to find a way to stop her.
WOLF: But she’s too strong.
Enter MOWGLI, BALOO, and BAGHEERA.
WOLF: They’re back!
WOLVES: (shouting over each other) Baloo! Bagheera! Mowgli!
The WOLVES run over, excitedly greeting them.
WOLF: You’d been so long.
WOLF: We didn’t know what to think.
BALOO: It’s a long story..., but the little frog over here got himself into a few scrapes, didn’t you, kid?
MOWGLI: Shut up. I was fine.
Bagheera: that’s one way of putting it Mowgli.
WOLF: How come you’re here?
WOLF: We thought you were going to the man village.
BAGHEERA: We did.
WOLF: But…?
MOWGLI: I don’t belong there.
BAGHEERA: Mowgli’s belongs with in this pack.
Enter SHERE KHAN, growling.
SHERE KHAN: Man-cub! How dare you return here?
MOWGLI: My home is here. This is my pack.
SHERE KHAN: In case you have forgotten, human, this is the pack who exiled you.
MOWGLI: I know, and I can only hope that they will accept me again someday.
SHERE KHAN: You will not live to see that day.
WOLF: We will accept you again!
SHERE KHAN: Quiet dog! Do I need to remind you what happened to Akela, the man-cub cannot stay
here.
WOLF: He’s one of the pack!
SHERE KHAN: He’s a human!
MOWGLI: I’m more of a wolf than you, yet you are here.
SHERE KHAN: Pah.
MOWGLI: I have a pack to be part of.
SHERE KHAN: You will never be part of this pack. I’ll make sure of it.
WOLF: (to each other) What does she mean?
WOLF: She’s going to kill him.
MOWGLI: This is my home, I’m prepared to fight you for it.
WOLF: To fight Shere Khan, that would be suicide!
BAGHEERA: Mowgli, no, don’t do this! Oh, god…
BALOO: You show her kid!
SHERE KHAN prowls over to MOWGLI, who attempts to square up to him; the tiger growls and he
flinches, but still faces him. They fight. BALOO has to hold BAGHEERA back. SHERE KHAN makes a
lunge for MOWGLI, and strikes him down, at which point BGAHEERA runs in.
BAGHEERA: No, that’s it Shere Khan, that’s enough (shaking free of BALOO; to SHERE KHAN:)
BAGHEERA rushes in and takes on SHERE KHAN; they fight. SHERE KHAN is dominating when the
VULTURES enter:
VULTURE: Well, well, well! What have we here?
Vulture: looks like the man-cub is in trouble.
Vulture: shall we step in lads?
VULTURE: I’ve never tried tiger before.
The VULTURES swoop in to help BAGHEERA.
VULTURE: Today could be your lucky day.
Eventually, they have SHERE KHAN cornered on one side of stage, and continue to flap around him,
keeping him penned in, although he keeps swiping at them and missing. Lightening, SHERE KHAN
flinches away from it. BAGHEERA has regained control and rallies himself, stepping back to BALOO
and the WOLVES.
BAGHEERA: Wolves, where is your loyalty? Mowgli is one of your pack.
MOWGLI: Listen brothers, I may not run on four feet, but I am a wolf, and have been one since the
day you first found me. I know Shere Khan is stronger than each one of us, but he is not stronger
than all of us. Remember what Akela said: it is only the lone wolf that will struggle in the face of
adversity. Together, we can defeat her.

WOLF: NOW this is the Law of the Jungle — as old and as true as the sky;

WOLF: And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.

WOLF: As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back —

ALL:For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.

SHERE KHAN: You pathetic mongrels. Can’t you see he will bring destruction on you all. He will
wear your skins, he will burn down your forests. And you man-cub, I should have killed you when I
had a chance to.
SK leaves - music stops
The WOLVES run over to the tree hit by lightning, which has caught fire, and pick up flaming
branches. BALOO, BAGHEERA and MOWGLI push SHERE KHAN in the direction of the fire, which the
WOLVES have prepared. His tail catches fire and he runs off, screaming.
BALOO: Take that, stripes!
Wolf comes over to Mowgli and puts a hand on his shoulder. – reconciliation
VULTURE: I never liked that tiger.
VULTURE: She never left any meat on her kills for us.
VULTURE: rude, if you ask me.
VULTURE: Anyway, we’ll be off then.
MOWGLI: Thank you, for everything.
VULTURE: Ah, any time man-cub.
VULTURE: See you around!
Exit VULTURES.
BALOO: I’m proud of you, kid.
BAGHEERA: As am I.
MOWGLI: I’m just glad I’m accepted again.
BALOO: Kid, we love you!
BAGHEERA: You have every right to be a member of this pack, and you have shown your worth
within it today.
WOLF: We’re so sorry we ever doubted you, Mowgli.
WOLF: We only hope you’ll forgive us.
MOWGLI: Of course I do!
WOLF: Then our pack is complete again
WOLF: Shall we hunt, brothers?
WOLVES: Yes, let’s, come on Mowgli!
MOWGLI: Let’s go!
Exit WOLVES and MOWGLI, playfully.
BALOO: Wait for me! I’ll catch the paw-paws! (he runs off stage after them)
BAGHEERA: Oh, I’m sure you will. (laughing at BALOO, then walking forward towards the crowd to
narrate). I don’t know what happens next, I don’t know whether Shere Khan will return, I don’t know
what will happen to the pack, but for now at least, the jungle is peaceful.
Now Chil the Kite brings home the night
That Mang the Bat sets free –
The herds are shut in byre and hut
For loosed till dawn are we.
This is the hour of pride and power,
Talon and tush and claw.
Oh hear the call! – Good hunting all
That keep the Jungle Law!

(Enter rest of CAST for bow.)