Most of the tales were about animals , for the jungle was always at their door . The deer and the wild pig grubbed up their crops , and now and again the tiger carried off a man at twilight , within sight of the village gates . Mowgli , who naturally knew something about what they were talking of , had to cover his face not to show that he was laughing , while Buldeo , the Tower musket across his knees , climbed on from one wonderful story to another , and Mowgli 's shoulders shook . Buldeo was explaining how the tiger that had carried away Messua 's son was a ghost-tiger , and his body was inhabited by the ghost of a wicked , old money-lender , who had died some years ago . `` And I know that this is true , '' he said , `` because Purun Dass always limped from the blow that he got in a riot when his account books were burned , and the tiger that I speak of he limps , too , for the tracks of his pads are unequal . '' `` True , true , that must be the truth , '' said the gray-beards , nodding together . `` Are all these tales such cobwebs and moon talk ? '' said Mowgli . `` That tiger limps because he was born lame , as everyone knows . To talk of the soul of a money-lender in a beast that never had the courage of a jackal is child 's talk . '' Buldeo was speechless with surprise for a moment , and the head-man stared . `` Oho ! It is the jungle brat , is it ? '' said Buldeo . `` If thou art so wise , better bring his hide to Khanhiwara , for the Government has set a hundred rupees on his life . Better still , talk not when thy elders speak . '' Mowgli rose to go . `` All the evening I have lain here listening , '' he called back over his shoulder , `` and , except once or twice , Buldeo has not said one word of truth concerning the jungle , which is at his very doors . How , then , shall I believe the tales of ghosts and gods and goblins which he says he has seen ? '' `` It is full time that boy went to herding , '' said the head-man , while Buldeo puffed and snorted at Mowgli 's impertinence .
The custom of most Indian villages is for a few boys XXXXX take the cattle and buffaloes out to graze in the early morning , and bring them back at night .
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