In the Rukh

The Jungle Book #2.5

by Rudyard Kipling

The following note was appended to “In the Rukh” when it was published in the June 1896 issue of McClure’s Magazine. “This tale, published in "Many Inventions" (D. Appleton & Co.), 1893, was the first written of the Mowgli stories, though it deals with the closing chapters of his career—namely, his introduction to white men, his marriage and civilization, all of which took place, we may infer, some two or three years after he had finally broken away from his friends in the jungle (vide " The Spring Running," Second Jungle Book). Those who know the geography of India will see that it is a far cry from Seeonee to a Northern forest reserve; but though many curious things must have befallen Mowgli, we have no certain record of his adventures during those wanderings. There are, however, legends. —Rudyard Kipling.”

Genres: Classics, Short Stories

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1893

About the author

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.

Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".

Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."

Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."

Reviews

[Mel Rose (Savvy Rose Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounding up because at least there was a real chronological ending to Mowgli’s story.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good story - no it doesn't fit in entirely with the Mowgli stories that come after it and that the would become bestsellers, but it is nicely mysterious story which introduces both the character of Mowgli, and the creepy but mystical setting of the jungle. I can see why Kipling was so taken with his creation here, enough to write more - we have this story to thank for the entire Jungle Book world! 3 stars.

[Maya Joelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't even like The Jungle Book very much. I like this even less.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently the first written of the Mowgli stories, but set last and not (originally) included with either Jungle Book. It doesn't really fit with the others, which Kipling himself seemed to realize, even if he did try to frame it as part of the "canon."

Mowgli is mostly the same, but not quite; for one, he seems to be afraid of fire, and his interest in working for somebody else seems off for our cocky protagonist. (I've seen it noted that, since Mowgli is Kipling's idea of the perfect Indian, he naturally assumes that he'd defer to English rule.) The fact that we're seeing him from the perspective of a normal person like Gisborne means that the attempt to frame him as some sort of demigod is even more awkward. And of course, readers already know his origins, which this story treats as a mystery until the end.

The treatment of Abdul Gafur and his daughter is probably a bit un-PC, though honestly I find Muller the German to be more racist. What is that accent? It's not German. Actually, it's weird, because the Indian characters speak perfect English, but Muller talks closer to how others writers would present "primitive" characters. Yet he apparently can speak English correctly, he just doesn't most of the time? Also, why do the characters sometimes lapse into Ye Olde Butcherede Englishe? They did in The Jungle Books, too, but it's another thing that seems weirder when viewed through the eyes of a normal, nineteenth-century Englishman.

I like that we finally met Mowgli's wife, since she was set up all the way in "Tiger! Tiger!" but wasn't alluded to in "Spring Running." That said, I wish that she had been more developed as a character; I'd have rather seen their romance than Mowgli's relationship with Gisborne. Also, what is with Kipling's refusal to name love interests? Did a girl's name kill his family or something?

This all seems more negative than I intended. Overall, it was alright; it just lacked the ideas and mystical aura of the other stories, and Kipling's attempts to include them in didn't really work. I think that a modified, longer version of this would be a fitting end to Mowgli's adventures. As it is, this "rough draft" gives an interesting look into how the other Mowgli stories developed.

[Trounin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Как так получилось, описывая нравы англичан в пределах родного для них острова Великобритания, порою диких и необузданных в низменности присущих им человеческих чувств, в том же сборнике рассказов «Многие помыслы», был помещён рассказ «В лесах Индии»? Согласно сюжета получалось, как к служащим лесного департамента явился человек, словно бы никогда не выходивший из леса. Он имел единственную цель — поступить на службу к англичанам, обзавестись домом и семьёй, а после, в качестве достойного члена общества, отработав положенный срок, выйти на пенсию, получая соответствующие социальные гарантии. Может и были такие люди в лесах Индии, отличающиеся от прочих жителей индийских земель. Писал ли Киплинг сказочный сюжет, либо нечто подобное могло быть в действительности? В любом случае, Редьярд написал про того, о ком после расскажет ещё не одну историю. Имя тому человеку из леса — Маугли.
...
Придумав такого персонажа, Киплинг задумался о необходимости вернуться к индийской теме, по которой его прежде всего и ценил читатель. Маугли станет центральным персонажем последовавших затем сборников. Пусть он будет уже вовсе другим, мало похожим на себя же повзрослевшего, вплоть до того, что Киплинг задумается о необходимости увязывать детство Маугли с первоначальным о нём замыслом.

(c) Trounin

[Nathaniel Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to discover that there was actually a ninth (despite being published first!) Mowgli story outwith the Jungle Book and Second Jungle Book, that continues the events after he leaves his jungle life for good. This makes for a much more satisfactory ending than the 8th Mowgli story. Highly recommended.

[Marian H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many famous characters, Mowgli makes his debut in a different time frame than we are accustomed to seeing him. "In the Rukh" shows the feral child now grown to be a young man, having some of the same traits as young Mowgli - his distrust of settlements, for one - in addition to a self-confidence and refinement of skill which awe the locals to the point of superstition. Gisborne, an English ranger, is fascinated by his new acquaintance and is intent on hiring Mowgli on to be his assistant in managing the forest.

It's been so long since I read The Jungle Book proper, I wasn't sure what to expect in this short story. Overall, I found it interesting, yet underdeveloped. It could be that, being so used to the character of Mowgli as a child, I struggled to accept him as a grown-up man, and what might have made a good sequel instead poses The Jungle Book as a superior prequel (a working hypothesis; I have started rereading it and am enjoying it more, so far).

The characterizations are not terribly strong. There are some moments with Gisborne's German boss and his Muslim servant which are supposed to be comedic, but these scenes have not aged well. The conflict is fairly mild, and there really aren't any "aha!" moments if you know the Mowgli story already. Mowgli himself is, well, kind of boring. Being grown-up and having fully developed survival skills, he's lost the vulnerability which made his child self such a complex and interesting character.

3 out of 5 stars for "In the Rukh." Not a must-read, but I'm kind of glad I read it.

[Nan Sprester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was the first written about Mowgli but it is about his life after he grows up, gets a job as a forest ranger and falls in love but remains a part of his first love, the jungle. A must-read and available free online.