Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is a short story by Rudyard Kipling that shows a struggle between a confident and brave mongoose named Rikki Tikki and an intelligent and savage cobra named Nagiana. The theme of the story is the importance of protecting your family. First Rikki Tikki is a wise and brave mongoose that has human qualities. For example, “ Rikki knew better to waste time in starring. He jumped up in the air as high as he could” (Kipling 9). This proves that Rikki is wise because instead of just sitting there he reacts in time to save his life. It also shows that he is smart enough to trust his friends and immediately jump. In addition, “ ‘Well,’ said Rikki and his tail began to fluff up again, ‘Marks or no marks, do you think it is right for you to eat fledglings out of a nest?” (Kipling 8). This demonstrates that Rikki is brave enough to talk face to face with …show more content…
For instance, “When the house is emptied of people,’ said Nagaina to her husband, ‘he will have to go away, and then the garden will be our own again. Go in quietly, and remember that the big man who killed Karait is the first one to bite.”(Kipling 16) This demonstrates that Nagiana using her intelligence to come with a np-[kplan to get rid of the human family. This also proves that Nagaina is intelligent by planning ahead. Along with her being intelligent she is a savage like character. “ ‘But are you sure that there is anything to be gained by killing the human family?’ said Nag. ‘ Everything. When there were no people in the bungalow, did we have any mongoose in the garden? So long as the bungalow is empty, we are king and queen of the garden.”(Kipling 16). This shows that Nagaina is a savage by doing anything to be in charge of the garden. It also demonstrates that if she wants something she will do everything in her power to get it done. These sentences showed how Nagiana is an intelligent and savage like