The Jungle Book Lesson Plan

Look at the short poem that opens "Toomai of the Elephants." What does the poem suggest about Kala Nag?

Some points to consider:

• Through much of the story, Kala Nag seems happy to serve, or at least accepting of his role. However, the story does open with intimation that the elephant has hopes and dreams of his own.
• Is it possible that Toomai and his family are also commodified by the British Government, and that they may be given little more freedom and autonomy than Kala Nag is?
• We tend to assume that humans have aspirations of their own, and are generally upset when people are exploited and enslaved for this reason. We rarely think about the hopes and wishes of...