“...I saw the infernal Thing blocking my path in the twilight. The dead travel fast, and by short cuts unknown to ordinary coolies. I laughed aloud a second time, and checked my laughter suddenly, for I was afraid I was going mad.”

“I will remember what I was, I am sick of rope and chains -I will remember my old strength and all my forest affairs.I will not sell my back to man for a bundle of sugar cane;I will go out to my own kind, and the wood-folk in their lairs.I will go out until the day, until the morning break -Out to the wind's untainted kiss, the water's clean caress;I will forget my ankle-ring and snap my picket stake.I will revisit my lost love and playmates masterless!”

“I have my own matches and sulphur, and I'll make my own hell.”

“I never made a mistake in my life; at least, never one that I couldn't explain away afterwards.”

“I had never seen the jungle. They fed me behind bars from an iron pan till one night I felt that I was Bagheera - the Panther - and no man's plaything, and I broke the silly lock with one blow of my paw and came away; and because I had learned the ways of men, I became more terrible in the jungle than Shere Khan.”

“Something I owe to the soil that grew—More to the life that fed—But most to Allah who gave me twoSeparate sides to my head.”

“A Ripple SongOnce a ripple came to landIn the sunset burning-Lapped against a maiden's hand, By the ford returning.Dainty foot and gentle breast-Here, across, be glad and rest."Maiden, wait," the ripple saith"Wait awhile, for I am Death!"'Where my lover calls I go-Shame it were to treat him coldly-'Twas a fish that circled so,Turning over boldly.'Dainty foot and tender heart,Wait the loaded ferry-cart."Wait, ah, wait!" the ripple saith;"Maiden, wait, for I am Death!"'When my lover calls I haste-Dame Disdain was never wedded!'Ripple-ripple round her waist,Clear the current eddied.Foolish heart and faithful hand,Little feet that touched no land.Far away the ripple sped,Ripple-ripple-running red!”