They found him stretched out on a warm ledge in the afternoon sun , admiring his beautiful new coat , for he had been in retirement for the last ten days changing his skin , and now he was very splendid -- darting his big blunt-nosed head along the ground , and twisting the thirty feet of his body into fantastic knots and curves , and licking his lips as he thought of his dinner to come . `` He has not eaten , '' said Baloo , with a grunt of relief , as soon as he saw the beautifully mottled brown and yellow jacket . `` Be careful , Bagheera ! He is always a little blind after he has changed his skin , and very quick to strike . '' Kaa was not a poison snake -- in fact he rather despised the poison snakes as cowards -- but his strength lay in his hug , and when he had once lapped his huge coils round anybody there was no more to be said . `` Good hunting ! '' cried Baloo , sitting up on his haunches . Like all snakes of his breed Kaa was rather deaf , and did not hear the call at first . Then he curled up ready for any accident , his head lowered . `` Good hunting for us all , '' he answered . `` Oho , Baloo , what dost thou do here ? Good hunting , Bagheera . One of us at least needs food . Is there any news of game afoot ? A doe now , or even a young buck ? I am as empty as a dried well . '' `` We are hunting , '' said Baloo carelessly . He knew that you must not hurry Kaa . He is too big . `` Give me permission to come with you , '' said Kaa .
`` A blow more or less is nothing XXXXX thee , Bagheera or Baloo , but I -- I have to wait and wait for days in a wood-path and climb half a night on the mere chance of a young ape .
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