Suddenly Tabaqui enters with news that Mowgli has been kidnapped by the monkeys and that Baloo and Bagheera are in pursuit. Shere Khan tells Akela he will happily forego taking Akela’s place as leader if the man-cub is handed over to him. Baloo and Bagheera wake and immediately start tracking them, sending Bill, the kite, ahead.Īkela is confronted by Shere Khan and his new wolf friends. Though easily distracted, they eventually lift the sleeping boy up into the canopy. Three monkeys have been sent to kidnap Mowgli. Mowgli is receiving further instruction from Baloo and Bagheera, in particular about learning to communicate with other animals (TONGUES OF THE JUNGLE) with the exception of the Bandar-log! They mock the wolves for allowing a man-cub to live amongst them, and question the wolves’ own identity (WE ARE WOLVES). Shere Khan, the tiger, enters along with Tabaqui, the jackal. They discuss who might take over from him. Some of the wolf pack have gathered, shocked to hear that Akela has missed his kill. Showing off to the others, he is then embarrassed and ashamed when his mother wolf, Raksha, enters. Bagheera, the panther, enters and reminds Mowgli that dangers lurk everywhere in the jungle, but Mowgli is very confident in his own survival skills (LEADER OF THE PACK).

Mowgli is late: he has been talking with the monkeys – the Bandar-log – for which he is immediately scolded by Baloo. They see Baloo the bear enter the clearing, closely followed by a number of young wolves ready for today’s lessons. With her eggs ready to hatch any day, Chil, the kite, is pleased at the return of her partner, Bill. The scene is set as the ensemble sing the opening song (SOMEWHERE IN THE JUNGLE), telling us a little of the history of Mowgli’s time in the jungle and how he was welcomed by everybody.

Free download The Jungle Book