Somewhere down in the woods below a bird was trying over in a husky , reedy voice the first few notes of his spring song . It was no more than a shadow of the liquid , tumbling call he would be pouring later , but Bagheera heard it . `` I said the Time of New Talk is near , '' growled the panther , switching his tail . `` I hear , '' Mowgli answered . `` Bagheera , why dost thou shake all over ? The sun is warm . '' `` That is Ferao , the scarlet woodpecker , '' said Bagheera . `` HE has not forgotten . Now I , too , must remember my song , '' and he began purring and crooning to himself , harking back dissatisfied again and again . `` There is no game afoot , '' said Mowgli . `` Little Brother , are BOTH thine ears stopped ? That is no killing-word , but my song that I make ready against the need . '' `` I had forgotten . I shall know when the Time of New Talk is here , because then thou and the others all run away and leave me alone . '' Mowgli spoke rather savagely . `` But , indeed , Little Brother , '' Bagheera began , `` we do not always -- '' `` I say ye do , '' said Mowgli , shooting out his forefinger angrily . `` Ye DO run away , and I , who am the Master of the Jungle , must needs walk alone . How was it last season , when I would gather sugar-cane from the fields of a Man-Pack ? I sent a runner -- I sent thee ! -- to Hathi , bidding him to come upon such a night and pluck the sweet grass for me with his trunk . ''
`` He came only two nights later , '' said XXXXX , cowering a little ; `` and of that long , sweet grass that pleased thee so he gathered more than any Man-cub could eat in all the nights of the Rains .
Bagheera Brother Ferao Hathi Man-Pack Mowgli first killing-word night sugar-cane