`` I knew -- I knew he would come , '' Messua sobbed at last . `` Now do I KNOW that he is my son ! '' and she hugged Mowgli to her heart . Up to that time Mowgli had been perfectly steady , but now he began to tremble all over , and that surprised him immensely . `` Why are these thongs ? Why have they tied thee ? '' he asked , after a pause . `` To be put to the death for making a son of thee -- what else ? '' said the man sullenly . `` Look ! I bleed . '' Messua said nothing , but it was at her wounds that Mowgli looked , and they heard him grit his teeth when he saw the blood . `` Whose work is this ? '' said he . `` There is a price to pay . '' `` The work of all the village . I was too rich . I had too many cattle . THEREFORE she and I are witches , because we gave thee shelter . '' `` I do not understand .
Let XXXXX tell the tale . ''
Messua Mowgli heart pause price shelter son thongs village wounds