`` 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 Messua tell the tale . '' `` I gave thee milk , Nathoo ; dost thou remember ? '' Messua said timidly . `` Because thou wast my son , whom the tiger took , and because I loved thee very dearly . They said that I was thy mother , the mother of a devil , and therefore worthy of death . '' `` And what is a devil ? '' said Mowgli . `` Death I have seen . '' The man looked up gloomily , but Messua laughed . `` See ! '' she said to her husband , `` I knew -- I said that he was no sorcerer . He is my son -- my son ! ''
`` Son or XXXXX , what good will that do us ? ''
Messua Mowgli Nathoo mother shelter son sorcerer tale village work