Rudyard Kipling Libros

Las obras clásicas de literatura en cada volumen son una representación de los mejores y más famosos escritos de los autores. Una introducción maravillosa a la literatura universal, esta serie hermosamente diseñada pone las obras de los autores mundialmente conocidos al alcance de todos. En este volumen se ha hecho una selección cronológica de sus obras siguiendo las fechas de su publicación. Se incluye, El libro de la selva, y Capitanes intrépidos.

Madrid. 19 cm. 74 p. Encuadernación en tapa blanda de editorial. Colección 'Relatos breves', numero coleccion(16). Traducción, Ernesto Alberola Blázquez. Rikki-tikki-tavi ; La foca blanca. Kipling, Rudyard. 1865-1936. The white seal. Relatos breves (Madrid). 16 .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y señales de su anterior propietario. ISBN: 9788498157000

La historia más bella del mundo, obra maestra de la literatura universal y uno de los relatos más perfectos escritos en lengua inglesa, es una interesante historia sobre el hecho de escribir, crear, robar historias, inventar, recordar vidas pasadas. Como su título preludia, este relato simboliza la búsqueda de la perfección, búsqueda eterna y sin retorno, que en opinión del autor inglés sólo puede surgir de la vida misma.No es éste, sin embargo, el único tema presente en el relato, ya que en él gravitan otros muchos que le dotan de consistencia y credibilidad: la reencarnación, la muerte, el viaje de aventuras, la amistad, el oficio de escritor. A lo largo de sus páginas, el lector va siendo introducido sutilmente en la necesidad de trascendencia del ser humano, ya sea en la sucesión infinita de vidas o a través de la inmortalidad de la creación y del arte.

Kim, huérfano de un soldado irlandés, Kimball O’Hara, al servicio de la Corona de Inglaterra, hereda como único patrimonio tres documentos de los que no debe separarse bajo ningún concepto: la partida de nacimiento, las recomendaciones para ser aceptado en el ejército británico y en la logia masónica. Nacido en Indost an, Kim tiene el don de poder aparentar lo que le conviene, tan pronto es un sahib o un hindú y se las ingenia así para poder sobrevivir libremente. Pronto es conocido en Lahore como “Amigo de todo el Mundo”. Un día conoce a un lama tibetano con quien emprenderá un recorrido místico por el país a la búsqueda de un río sagrado que lo ha de liberar de la Rueda de la Vida. Dividido entre el sentimiento de afecto y fidelidad que le une al lama y la necesidad de acción, este viaje se convertirá para Kim en una misión secreta que le llevará a trabajar como espía al servicio del espionaje británico en el famoso “Gran Juego” que enfrenta a Rusia y Gran Bretaña. Una novela de aventuras y de amistad que relata, con humor y poesía, el viaje iniciático de Kim en la compleja sociedad de la India en los tiempos del colonialismo británico. Kim es considerada como la obra maestra del Premio Nobel Rudyard Kipling

Harvey Cheyne -hijo de un multimillonario- viaja con su madre en un lujoso transatlántico hacia Europa para recibir una refinada educación. En la travesía cae al mar y es recogido por una goleta que se dirige a los bancos de bacalao. Al cabo de tres meses de duro trabajo en el barco, de niño egoísta y consentido pasa a ser un buen compañero y un curtido pescador.

Story of Mowgli, a boy who is raised by a family of wolves in the jungle.

Publicado por vez primera en 1902, Sólo cuentos (para niños) es uno de los libros más célebres y populares de Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936). En él el autor británico recopiló una serie de relatos inolvidables en los que, haciendo gala de un gran ingenio y fantasía, daba cuenta del origen de las peculiaridades más llamativas de algunos animales, como la ballena, el dromedario, el rinoceronte o el leopardo, o de creaciones como el alfabeto. Confinado largo tiempo en el ámbito de la literatura infantil y juvenil, el paso del tiempo, sin embargo, lo ha rescatado para incluirlo con todos los honores en la galería de esos libros clásicos que brindan, sea cual sea, la edad y la ocasión de la lectura, un disfrute siempre renovado. Traducción de Jorge Ferrer-Vidal

-En Tinieblas-Acciones y Reacciones-Muchas fantasías

Originalmente, el elefante tenía una trompa corta del tamaño de una bota, flexible pero inútil para agarrar cosas. Un pequeño elefante era insaciablemente curioso. Hacía tantas preguntas que todos sus parientes le daban nalgadas.

Las divertidas historias que componen este libro, a modo de fábulas, son las historias que Rudyard Kipling contaba cada noche a su querida hija Josephine. Desde su publicación, generaciones de niños y niñas han disfrutado escuchando y leyendo estas historias, tan ingeniosas como improbables, sobre las cosas que realmente interesan a los pequeños -y no tan pequeños- de insaciable curiosidad, como por ejemplo por qué el leopardo tiene manchas en la piel, o cómo le salió la trompa al hijo del elefante y al dromedario su joroba...

The collection features 11 short stories and 11 poems that reflect on the Boer War period, highlighting Kipling's reformist perspective on the British army's conduct. Through vivid depictions of British concentration camps and the treatment of prisoners, the narratives critique colonial attitudes and emphasize the need for responsible governance of the empire. Additionally, the stories explore themes of scientific advancement and technology, showcasing Kipling's familiarity with innovations like cars and radios, while also venturing into fantasy and the supernatural.

The Jungle Book key characters are Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves, and Shere Khan, the biggest tiger in India. As Baloo the sleepy brown bear, Bagheera the cunning black panther, Kaa the python, and his other animal friends teach their beloved "man-cub" the ways of the jungle, Mowgli gains the strength and wisdom he needs for his frightful fight with Shere Khan, the tiger who robbed him of his human family. But there are also the tales of Rikki-tikki-tavi the mongoose and his "great war" against the vicious cobras Nag and Nagaina; of Toomai, who watches the elephants dance; and of Kotick the white seal, who swims in the Bering Sea.

Once more, Mowgli has escaped from Shere’s clutches, thanks to his friends. But the furious tiger, along with the Great Snake Kaa, is still on the prowl. So Bagheera and Baloo are very upset when Mowgli suddenly disappears. Can they find him before the man-cub gets into some very BIG trouble? Children will love the mischievous little boy and his jungle adventures. 

Mowgli's happy life in the jungle is threatened when man-eating tiger Shere Khan returns. Bagheera tries to lead Mowgli to the safety of the village, but the Man-cub runs away. Can Bagheera and Baloo find their friend before Shere Khan does?

Once upon a time, O my Best Beloved, there was … Fünf phantasievollen Geschichten aus der Sammlung ›Just So Stories‹. Genau so und nicht anders ist es gewesen und genau so muss der Wortlaut sein. Äußerst erfindungsreich erklärt Kipling, warum die Katze allein herumspaziert, wie das Gürteltier entstanden ist oder wie der Elefant zu seinem Rüssel kam und entführt Leser und Zuhörer damit in Zeiten, »als die Welt so ganz und gar neu war«. dtv zweisprachig – Die Vielfalt der Sprachen auf einen Blick Die Reihe umfasst drei Sprach-Niveaus – Einsteiger, Fortgeschrittene und Könner – und mittlerweile über 130 Titel in vielen Sprachen. Landeskunde, Kulturgeschichte und Redewendungen, zeitgenössische und klassische Texte in unterschiedlichen Formen und Genres – von der Kurzgeschichte bis zum Krimi – für jeden Lesegeschmack ist etwas dabei. Einzigartig ist die konsequente Zeilengleichheit zwischen Originaltext und Übersetzung, damit man vom ersten bis zum letzten Wort in zwei Sprachwelten zuhause ist. .

Written by classic English author Rudyard Kipling, Just So Stories is considered not only a quintessential children’s book, but one of Kipling’s best works. Just So Stories is a collection of origin stories, fictional tales that explain why animals have certain characteristics and other themes akin to that. Kipling’s book features stories such as “How the Whale Got His Throat,” or why large whales eat small prey, and “How the Alphabet Was Made,” which details a young girl and her father inventing an alphabet. Beautifully written and packed-full of illustrations, Just So Stories is the perfect combination of education and fun to get kids to love reading.

Stalky, M'Turk and the Beetle are the trio who conduct a battle of wits with masters and school fellows alike in these nine tales of school life.

Mowgli, now living in the village, misses the jungle. His friend Baloo often thinks of him and decides to visit. They embrace, but Shanti, a girl from the village, sees Baloo tossing Mowgli and screams for help. Mowgli and Baloo must flee, but Shere Khan is waiting in the jungle, seeking revenge.

Can you hear the jungle beat? Join Mowgli, Baloo and their new friends in an adventure about bravery, loyalty, friendship and a little bit of boogie-woogie.

It was seven o'clock of a very warm evening in the Seeonee hills when Father Wolf woke up from his day's rest, scratched himself, yawned, and spread out his paws one after the other to get rid of the sleepy feeling in their tips. Mother Wolf lay with her big gray nose dropped across her four tumbling, squealing cubs, and the moon shone into the mouth of the cave where they all lived. "Augrh " said Father Wolf. "It is time to hunt again." He was going to spring down hill when a little shadow with a bushy tail crossed the threshold and whined: "Good luck go with you, O Chief of the Wolves. And good luck and strong white teeth go with noble children that they may never forget the hungry in this world."

Výběr z poezie Rudyarda Kiplinga. Převážně souběžný anglický text.

Kipling, an English author born in India, is celebrated for his children's literature and mastery of the short story form. His works have become timeless classics, showcasing his innovative storytelling techniques that continue to resonate with readers today.

A distinctive collection from one of Britain's foremost writers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

This selection covers the full range of Kipling's extraordinary short stories throughout his career. Above all, they convey a wonderful sense of life and energy and reveal Kipling as a far greater and more diverse writer than most people suspect.

Focusing on the lives of three soldiers—an Irishman, a Yorkshireman, and a Londoner—this collection reveals the realities of military life in Afghanistan during a pivotal time in British history. Through their experiences, Kipling explores the complexities of British influence and the perspectives of native Indians, offering a unique lens often overlooked in his other works. The narrative includes a melodramatic story titled "Gadsby," divided into eight scenes, further enriching the historical and fictional tapestry of the soldiers' tales.

These classic children's tales of Mowgli, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Baloo the Bear and all the other lovable characters have universal appeal. The harsh reality of both human and animal existence in combined with the wonderful imaginative and humorous animal characterization peculiar to Kipling's genius.

Originally the elephant had a short nose the size of a boot, flexible but useless for grasping things. One little elephant was insatiably inquisitive. He asked so many questions that all his relations spanked him.

Celebrated for his evocative poetry, this collection features some of Kipling's most renowned works, such as "Gunga Din," "If," and "The White Man's Burden." Known for his deep connection to colonial India, Kipling's verses explore themes of duty, bravery, and the complexities of human nature. This anthology is an essential read for poetry enthusiasts and those who appreciate Kipling's influential literary contributions. Alongside his poetry, Kipling's notable prose works like "The Jungle Book" and "Kim" further showcase his literary legacy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Kipling's storytelling, rooted in his Victorian India childhood, weaves together themes of love and tragedy against a backdrop of famine. The collection features prophetic dreams and poignant narratives that provide insight into the lives of British India’s inhabitants. This collector's edition includes handpicked stories from his most cherished works, showcasing the magical and heartfelt essence of his tales.

Set in the vibrant jungle, the story follows Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves, as he navigates life and learns valuable lessons through his adventures with iconic characters like Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther. Alongside Mowgli, other captivating tales unfold, featuring Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and Quiquern, who also face challenges and dangers in their quest for survival. This collection of Kipling's works enchants readers of all ages with its timeless themes and unforgettable characters.

"These stories and poems cover the full range of Kipling's career from the youthful volumes that brought him fame as the chronicler of British India, to the bittersweet fruits of age and bereavement in the aftermath of the First World War" --back cover.

Used Book in good condition. No missing/ torn pages. No stains.

Dvojjazyčné vydání - anglický originál a český překlad - klasiky světové literatury pro přátele anglického jazyka. Slavný příběh lidského mláděte Mauglího začíná, když jako malé batole unikne ze spárů lidožravého tygra Šér Chána. Je zachráněn rodinou vlků a později je přijat i za člena vlčí smečky. Jak Mauglí dospívá, jeho zvířecí přátelé, mezi něž patří především odvážný černý panter Baghíra, moudrý medvěd Balú a lstivá krajta Ká, jej učí životu v džungli.. Nedaleko Mauglího se však neustále potlouká tygr Šér Chán, který si umínil, že chlapce přeci jen uloví. Jednoho dne se ale role obrátí a z lovce se stává kořist. Chlapec nakonec odvěkého nepřítele vláká chytrým plánem do léčky a zabije ho. Mauglí si také postupně hledá cestu k lidem. Přijmou ho zpět mezi sebe?

An alternate cover for this isbn can be found here.Introduction and Notes by R.T. Jones, Honorary Fellow of the University of York.This edition of the poetry of Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) includes all the poems contained in the Definitive Edition of 1940. In his lifetime, Kipling was widely regarded as the unofficial Poet Laureate, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. His poetry is striking for its many rhythms and popular forms of speech, and Kipling was equally at home with dramatic monologues and extended ballads.He is often thought of as glorifying war, militarism, and the British Empire, but an attentive reading of the poems does not confirm that view. This edition reprints George Orwell's hard-hitting account of Kipling's poems, first published in 1942, and generally regarded as one of the most important contributions to critical discussion of Kipling.

Mowgli, the man-cub, is raised by wolves in the jungles of India. His friends and teachers are Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, and their enemy is the ferocious tiger Shere Khan. Mowgli's life is filled with adventure, and a thrilling chance to become a true hero of the jungle.'

Príbeh o Mauglím je klasickým rozprávaním o chlapcovi, ktorý bol vychovaný vlkmi v indickej džungli. Mauglí sa snaží nájsť svoje miesto medzi zvieratami a ľuďmi, čelí nebezpečenstvu a učí sa o priateľstve, odvahe a zrade. Jeho dobrodružstvá sú plné napätia a múdrosti, pričom sa stretáva s rôznymi postavami, ako sú panter Bagíra, medveď Balú a zlý tygr Šerchán. Kniha skúma témy identity, prirodzenosti a vzťahu medzi človekom a zvieratami. Mauglí sa musí rozhodnúť, či sa vráti do sveta ľudí, alebo zostane v džungli, kde sa cíti doma. Tento príbeh ponúka hlboké zamyslenie nad hodnotami a morálnymi dilematami, s ktorými sa každý z nás môže stretnúť.

Rudyard Kipling here turns his hand to the canine world. Each delightful story centres around a particular dog - whether 'Toby Dog', - 'The Black Aberdeen', or 'A Sea Dog' - and reveals the creature's relation to his human counterpart. The works demonstrate once again Kipling's remarkable skill at delighting adults and children alike.

Gathers British stories about India by Kipling, Orwell, and others, that illustrate changing English attitudes

Based on Disney's "The Jungle Book", this story book comes with a 16-piece jigsaw puzle.

Classic stories and fairy tales go hand in hand with a child’s growing up years. However, in this age of comic books, the classics are gradually finding less and less takers. Keeping this in mind we have selected 24 such all time favourite classics and translated them into graphic format. While remaining faithful to the original plot, these stories contain neat, pithy text and vivid, colourful graphics that make reading a pleasure.Children as well as adolescents will find this series to be a fascinating read, and it can help your child to make the ascension from cartoons to the classics.

How Fear Came : Comment naquit la peur : La loi de la jungle impose la trêve de l'eau lorsque survient la sécheresse. Nul alors ne peut tuer quand tous souffrent ensemble. Une nuit, Hahti l'éléphant raconta au Peuple de la jungle comment, à la suite du premier meurtre commis par le Premier des Tigres, naquirent la Mort, la Honte puis la Peur, et la séparation des races qui en résulta. The Undertakers : Les croque-morts : Le Crocodile, le Marabout et le Chacal commentent les transformations que le progrès a apportées le long du fleuve jusqu'au village voisin, dont ils sont les fossoyeurs, et dont le Crocodile sera la victime. Rikki-tikki-tavi : La Mangouste livra, seule contre les Serpents du jardin familial, une guerre totale : elle sortit vainqueur d'un combat contre Tagait d'abord, puis contre Nag, le grand Cobra noir, et remporta le duel mortel contre sa veuve Nagaina.

Treasury of 44 poems recalls British character and attitudes at the height of the Empire. "Gunga Din," "Danny Deever," "If," "The White Man s Burden," many others, reprinted from standard texts. Notes."

HarperCollins is proud to present its news range of best-loved, essential classics. 'There is no harm in a man's cub.' Best known for the 'Mowgli' stories, Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book expertly interweaves myth, morals, adventure and powerful story-telling. Set in Central India, Mowgli is raised by a pack of wolves. Along the way he…

This beautiful gift edition presents the best-loved story 'The Cat that Walked by Himself' alongside 'How the Camel Got His Hump', 'How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin' and 'The Elephant's Child', and reproduces the author's delightfully evocative original illustrations.

Rudyard Kipling's brilliantly funny tale of How the Rhinoceros got his Skin has been perfectly captured by Daron Parton's quirky and colourful illustrations. Every page showcases delightful full-bled artwork, packed with charm and detail that will enthrall young children aged 3+.

Selected short stories introduced by Christopher Isherwood

The first ever Pan paperback, reissued in honour of Pan's 70th birthday.

Because of his "'satiable curtiosity" about what the crocodile has for dinner, the elephant's child and all elephants thereafter have long trunks.

In this graphic retelling of a beloved classic, a leopard embarks on a journey to acquire its distinctive spots. The story captures the essence of Kipling's original tale while presenting it in an engaging visual format, appealing to both new readers and fans of the original. Through vibrant illustrations and a fresh perspective, the narrative explores themes of identity and transformation, making it an enchanting read for all ages.

Rudyard Kipling's autobiography, Something of Myself, was the author's last work, but it has not received the serious attention it deserves. Thomas Pinney's edition of the work, supplemented by other autobiographical pieces, aims to change that. Professor Pinney, a leading textual editor currently engaged on Kipling's letters, has consulted the available source material relating to Something of Myself. He has constructed an outline of the book's composition; described the history of its publication; established a text and a set of variants; and given a critical account of the book's design and its main themes. His annotations to the work (and to the supplementary pieces) identify references and allusions, and provide a biographical context against which Kipling's selections, omissions, and distortions may clearly be seen. The extent to which Kipling's description of his life failed to match what actually happened is extraordinary. Two of the additional items presented here (Kipling's Indian diary of 1885 and the illustrations he made for his autobiographical story, 'Baa Baa, Black Sheep') are previously unpublished. Pinney shows how they, and other forms of autobiographical writing, reflect upon or complicate the narrative of Something of Myself. This carefully prepared edition sheds new light on Kipling as a man and writer.

'The best criticism renews our interest in an author, and that is what Mr Eliot has done in his remarkable essay which prefaces his own selection from Kipling's verse . . . a mature essay full of insight . . . Mr Eliot's essay is an admirable example of the finest type of criticism.

Kipling visited Japan in 1889 and 1892. No other leading English literary figure of his day spent so long in that country or wrote so fully about it. Kipling's newspaper despatches from Japan were decsribed by the great Japanologist Basil Han Chamberlain as 'the most graphic even penned by a globetrotter'. These vivid pen-pictures, togteher with Kipling's other writings about Japan, are now collected by Sir Hugh Cortazzi and gerorge Webb, carefully edited with an introduction wand Notes.

Mowgli, the man-cub who is raised by a wolf-pack, is the main character in The Second Jungle Book which contains some of the most thrilling of the Mowgli stories. It includes "Red Dog", in which Mowgli and the python Kaa form an unlikely alliance, "How Fear Came" and "Letting in the Jungle" as well as "The Spring Running", which brings Mowgli to manhood and the realisation that he must leave Bagheera, Baloo, and his other friends for the world of man. Between each of these marvellously powerful stories Kipling includes some of his most stirring ballads and songs, notably "Mowgli's Song Against People" and "The Law of the Jungle".

Set against the backdrop of British India, this collection features eight short stories that explore the complexities of colonial life in Shimla. The narratives delve into themes of infidelity, duty, and misunderstanding, showcasing the lives of British officials and their families. From the poignant tales of personal sacrifice in "Only a Subaltern" to the satirical critique of colonial ignorance in "The Enlightenments of Pagett, M.P.", Kipling masterfully captures the nuances of human relationships and societal expectations during a tumultuous era.

Presents the adventures of Mowgli, a boy reared by a pack of wolves and the wild animals of the jungle. Also includes other short stories set in India.

A courageous mongoose thwarts the evil plans of Nag and Nagaina, two big black cobras who live in the garden

Kipling's life and work reflect an age now gone--the age of British Empire and Victorian manners. This biography explores his lengthy travels around the world, especially to the India of the Raj, & his isolated, active old age in Sussex. B&W photos & illus.

Rudyard Kipling, celebrated author of The Jungle Book, the Just So Stories and other entertaining fictions, was also a master of the short story in which he was able to combine the strange and unnerving in order to draw the reader into the world of his own dark imaginings. This collection presents the best of these strange tales in which ghosts, monsters and inexplicable happenings abound.

Includes a selection of poems by Robert Browning, Emily Bronte, Matthew Arnold, William Butler Yeats, Rudyard Kipling, George Eliot, and others.

Short excerpt: For three years he had endured heat and cold, disappointment, discomfort, danger, and disease, with responsibility almost to top-heavy for one pair of shoulders; and day by day, through that time, the great Kashi Bridge over the Ganges had grown under his charge.

Rewards and Fairies is a collection of stories and a sequel to Puck of Pook's Hill and, as Kipling wrote, 'The tales had to be read by children, before people realised they were meant for grown-ups'. Through the agency of Puck, two children - Dan and Una - meet a glittering array of historical characters from flint and iron age tribes to 'Good Queen Bess' and Sir Francis Drake. Other tales include stories of England following the Norman Conquest and the Europe of Napoleon and Talleyrand. Rewards and Fairies includes two of Kipling's best-loved and most quoted 'The Way Through the Woods' and 'If-'

Penguin Modern Classics. Edited by Andrew Rutherford. Cover shows a detail from 'A German Attack on a Wet Morning, April 1918' by H. S. Williamson, in the Imperial War Museum (photo Chris Barker).

This text is part of the "Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics" series which also includes the Kipling title "In Black and White".

The Second Jungle Book is a sequel to The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. First published in 1895, it features five stories about Mowgli and three unrelated stories, all but one set in India, most of which Kipling wrote while living in Vermont.

The story of Mowgli, the abandoned “man-cub” who is brought up by wolves in the jungles of Central India, is one of the greatest literary myths ever created. As he embarks on a series of thrilling escapades, Mowgli encounters such unforgettable creatures as the bear Baloo, the graceful black panther Bagheera and Shere Khan, the tiger with the blazing eyes. Other animal stories in The Jungle Books range from the dramatic battle between good and evil in “Rikki-tikki-tav” to the macabre comedy, “The Undertakers.” With The Jungle Books, Rudyard Kipling drew on ancient beast fables, Buddhist philosophy, and memories of his Anglo-Indian childhood to create a rich, symbolic portrait of man and nature, and an eternal classic of childhood. This edition contains both of Kipling’s Jungle Books, as well as “In the Rukh,” the story that introduced readers to Mowgli. Part of Penguin’s beautiful Hardcover Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) is often regarded as the unofficial Laureate of the British Empire. This selection of his poetry shows the development of Kipling's talent, his deepening maturity, and the growing sombreness of his poetic vision. It ranges from Mandalay and Gunga Din, to If and Epitaphs of the War. schovat popis

Limits and Renewals, Kipling's last collection of short stories, was written shortly after the death of his only son. Unsurprisingly therefore, many of the stories take on the themes of pain, inner suffering and mental anguish, with an on-going exploration into the level of physical and psychological torment that can be endured before a complete breakdown. Dark and penetrating in tone, these are brilliant portraits of a soul in torment with some welcome relief coming in the tales of 'Aunt Ellen' and 'The Miracle of Saint Jubanus'.

Of the two volumes, A Sahib's War and Other Stories and Friendly Brook and Other Stories, Professor Rutherford, who selected the contents of both volumes, writes: 'There are fewer tales of Empire than the popular stereotype of Kipling might lead readers to expect....Increasingly he was preoccupied by the condition of England herself, as he rebuked her blindness, folly and complacency, and sought reassurance in groups, types, or individuals who might still redeem her backslidings.

IN the old fairy tales the cradles of new-born infants were visited by beneficent beings who granted special gifts of fortune, beauty, talent, though sometimes a jealous hag would slink in and by a malevolent counter- charm try to spoil the bright future. Such things have long ago ceased in commonplace England, but it is differ- ent in India; and we can hardly help believing that the power of understanding the speech of animals and birds is still occasionally conferred on fortunate mortals. Else how can one explain "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," and "Tomai of the Elephants " ? Fortunate for special purposes is the man of one race and language who is born amid the men of another, and thus inherits two tongues and the knowledge of two peoples. Such was the good fortune of Rudyard Kipling, and it is not a mere legend that, on meeting with Indian elephants amid the tawdry surroundings of an American circus, he was able to talk and understand the mystic language of the jungle.

Relates how the leopard got his spotted coat in order to hunt the animals in the dappled shadows of the forest.

First published in 1888, Plain Tales from the Hills was Kipling's first volume of prose fiction. Most of the stories it includes had already appeared in the Civil and Military Gazette they were written before he reached the age of 22; and they show a remarkably precocious literary talent. His vignettes of life in Brittish India a hundred years ago give vivid insight into Anglo-India at work and play, into a barrack-room life, and into the character of Indians themselves.

These stories reflect Kipling's own experiences in life. Kipling was born in India in 1865 but in 1871 he was sent to England to live with a foster family - an unhappy experience which is chronicled in 'Baa Baa, Black Sheep'.

When Dan and Una stage a performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in a fairy ring, they are astonished by the appearance of Puck in person. He explains that he is the last of the People of the Hills, and leads the children in a series of extraordinary historical adventures.