The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling, published in 1894, is a collection of stories, though its primary focus is on the life of Mowgli (the boy raised by wolves). The first half of the book explores Mowgli as he befriends various animals, include Bagheera, the panther, and Baloo, the bear, who teaches him the ropes of the jungle (namely, the Law(s) of the Jungle). We learn of their nemesis, Shere Khan, the tiger, in which, toward the end of the story, there is a tense scene where Mowgli, who now lives with humans in a village, mobilizes a herd of buffaloes against Shere Khan.
The story has a surreal yet fantastical tone to it, since Mowgli can understand and speak with the other animals, who can speak with each other (i.e. the bear with the panther, and both to the wolves, etc.). The plot and pace is quick as well, with the scenes flying by as Mowgli starts to wonder where his place is in the world, either in the jungle or with civilization.
The other stories in this book are great as well. My favorite is the story The White Seal, in which we follow the journey of Kotick who searches for a place uninhabited by humans where he can lead the other seals there to safety. He travels far and wide until he meets a whale that shows him the way to an island where boats and ships cannot cross. The other stories include a mongoose who defends a family against snakes after they (the family) rescues him, the life of an elephant who is ridden through the jungle to catch other elephants, and a conversation amongst animals (a mule, a horse, an elephant, etc.) who discuss their roles in the army–led by soldiers.
Altogether, the stories draw upon the imagination of the reader to see the world through the eyes of animals and their relationship to humans. Though the story with Mowgli is one of nature vs. society, the others put us into the minds of animals as they partake in different adventures, either seeking coexistence with humans, or a retreat back into nature.
Fallton Havenstonne 