Rikki-tikki-Rikki-tikki-tavitavi

By Rudyard KiplingBy Rudyard Kipling

SettingSetting

Since Segowlee cantonment was a Since Segowlee cantonment was a British military base in northern India, British military base in northern India, the story must take place during a time the story must take place during a time when the British had military stations in when the British had military stations in India, when India was a British colony. India, when India was a British colony.

like the United States of America, India like the United States of America, India is no longer a British colony. India is no longer a British colony. India became independent in 1947 became independent in 1947

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761574651/Mongoose.html

MongooseMongoose They subsist on rodents and snakes and They subsist on rodents and snakes and

are renowned for attacking even the are renowned for attacking even the largest and most largest and most poisonous snakespoisonous snakes

Mongooses have been introduced to Mongooses have been introduced to many areas of the world in order to many areas of the world in order to control rodents and snakescontrol rodents and snakes

But importation of mongooses into the But importation of mongooses into the United States is prohibited because United States is prohibited because they also destroy many useful animals. they also destroy many useful animals.

TailorbirdTailorbird

This bird is typically found in open This bird is typically found in open woodland, scrub and gardens. woodland, scrub and gardens.

They get their name from the way their They get their name from the way their nest is constructed. nest is constructed.

The edges of a large leaf are pierced and The edges of a large leaf are pierced and sewn together with plant fiber or spiders sewn together with plant fiber or spiders web to make a cradle in which the actual web to make a cradle in which the actual grass nest is built.grass nest is built.

Common Tailorbird builds its nest in a Common Tailorbird builds its nest in a shrub and lays 3-5 eggs. shrub and lays 3-5 eggs.

Cobra SnakeCobra Snake

common name for certain members common name for certain members of a family of venomous snakes, of a family of venomous snakes, known for their intimidating known for their intimidating behavior and deadly bite. behavior and deadly bite.

This snake causes many deaths This snake causes many deaths each year in India, where it is each year in India, where it is regarded with religious awe and is regarded with religious awe and is seldom killed. seldom killed.

cowercower

VerbVerb To crouch or shrink down in fearTo crouch or shrink down in fear Example: Darzee and his wife Example: Darzee and his wife

cowercowered down into the nest. ed down into the nest.

consolationconsolation

NounNoun Something that comfortsSomething that comforts Example: It may be some Example: It may be some consolationconsolation

to you when you are dead to know to you when you are dead to know that I shall settle accounts with the that I shall settle accounts with the boy. boy.

cunninglycunningly

AdverbAdverb In a clever way that is meant to trick In a clever way that is meant to trick

or deceiveor deceive Example: sneakily Example: sneakily Example: There, in the warm litterExample: There, in the warm litter

above the melons, very above the melons, very

cunninglycunningly hidden, he found hidden, he found

twenty-five eggs.twenty-five eggs.

scuttlescuttle

VerbVerb To run quickly with hurried To run quickly with hurried

movementsmovements

ReviveRevive

VerbVerb

To become conscious; wake upTo become conscious; wake up

Example: When he Example: When he reviverevived, he was d, he was lying in the hot sun. lying in the hot sun.