Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book" and "The Second Jungle Book" are masterful collections of stories that weave together folklore, adventure, and allegory in a rich tapestry of Indian jungle life. Set during the British Raj, these tales encapsulate the struggle for identity and belonging as embodied by the orphaned boy Mowgli, who is raised by wolves. Kipling skillfully employs a vivid narrative style, bringing to life a menagerie of characters-including the wise Bagheera and the fearsome Sher ...