“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” – Rudyard Kipling

 

Summary

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is the story of a young mongoose who gets adopted by a British family after he is rescued from a flood. It is found out that two cobras, Nag and Nagaina, are plotting murder to the family and rule over the garden. Rikki-Tikki fights the cobras bravely, finally slaying Nag followed by killing Nagaina in a fight to the death. After that, safety is ensured for the family, and Rikki-Tikki continues to be the keeper of the garden.

 

Characters:

Rikki

Teddy

Teddy’s Parents

Nag

Nagaina

Darzee

Chuchundra

 

Plot Elements:

Exposition – The first part of the story deals with floods carrying Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a young mongoose, into a British family garden in India. The family adopts him and quickly Rikki gets adjusted to his new first environment. The exposition introduces setting and major characters as to the peace that Rikki begins to enjoy in this environment unaware of the evil lurking behind, in the form of cobras Nag and Nagaina, who plot to kill their human masters and take possession of the garden.

 

Rising Action – The rising action in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi happens from the point a British couple picks Rikki-Tikki, the mongoose, after rescuing him from flood waters. He soon learns about the troublesome cobras, Nag and Nagaina, that are plotting to kill the family, targeting the young boy Teddy, and ruling over the garden. Rikki-Tikki engages in a couple of confrontations with Nag and Nagaina, including a tense fighting with Nag in the bathroom, and begins to take steps in protecting the family from the lethal snakes.

 

Climax – Nagaina and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi meet their final duel. Rikki-Tikki lures Nagaina away from her nest of eggs and engages in a fierce fight with her. After an exhilarating and dangerous life-and-death struggle, Rikki-Tikki slays Nagaina and clears the path for family safety.

 

Resolution – The resolution comes after Rikki-Tikki has defeated Nagaina. There is safety for members of the family, and the two cobras cause no trouble. Rikki-Tikki is thus hailed a hero and peace returns to the garden. The mongoose watches over the family, ensuring that they are safe from any future harm.

 

Analysis

Bravery, loyalty, and the struggle between good and evil are all highlighted in this tale. A hero, Rikki-Tikki puts himself in risk to keep the people he cares about safe. A lesson about bravery and fast thinking in the face of peril is also imparted by the story. The story is made thrilling by the tense conflicts between Rikki-Tikki and the cobras, and the reader is left feeling content by the pleasant conclusion.

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