"Mowgli is probably okay, Baloo," Bagheera said. "He's smart and you've taught him well." Bagheera licked a paw thoughtfully. "But we do need a plan to get him back."
"Well, that's a problem," Baloo said. "Because those monkeys aren't scared of either one of us. Hey!" He sat up with a jerk. "The monkeys are afraid of Kaa. Let's go talk to him!"
"I don't really like talking to the python. I'm not sure he's our friend. And . . ." Bagheera shuddered. "He has spooky eyes."
"Come on, Bagheera. Kaa is very cunning. Let's go see if he can help us."
Bagheera sighed. "Fine."
Kaa lay on a warm rock in the afternoon sun. His long body was twisted into coils and curves. He was admiring his new brown and yellow skin.
"Be careful, Bagheera," Baloo whispered as they approached. "Kaa is always a little blind after he has changed his skin. This makes him quick to strike."
Kaa was not a poisonous snake, but he was still very dangerous. He could coil tightly around someone in a deadly squeeze.
"Good day, Kaa!" Baloo called.
"Oh, Baloo, what are you doing here?"
"We came to ask for your help," the bear replied. "We need to find the monkeys. It's a bit of an emergency."
"Sss." Kaa let out a lazy hiss. "I'm tired and full. I'm in no mood to chase monkeys right now."
Baloo flashed a look at Bagheera. What if Kaa wouldn't help them?
"Um, Kaa . . ." Bagheera swallowed. "Did you know that the monkeys call you a footless yellow earthworm?"
Kaa's eyes flashed with anger. "They call me an earthworm?"
"Something like that," Bagheera replied.
"And sometimes they make fun of you," Baloo chimed in. "They say you have no teeth. And you're afraid of goats' horns."
"What?" Kaa coiled up tightly. The big swallowing muscles on his throat rippled and bulged. "Why are you looking for the monkeys?"
"Well, as you know, I am the man cub's teacher," Baloo began. "He usually listens to me, but once, he—"
Bagheera was getting impatient. They didn't have time for long stories.
"The trouble is this, Kaa," he said, jumping in. "Those silly nut-stealers have stolen away the man cub."
"He's a wonderful man cub," Baloo said. "Mowgli is the smartest and boldest of all the man cubs in the world. I—we—love him, Kaa."
"Ssss!" Kaa wove his head back and forth. "The man cub belongs with you—not those monkeys. You are his family."
"That's why we're here," Bagheera said. "The monkeys are afraid of only one animal in the jungle—you."
"So we're hoping you'll help us find them," Baloo added. "Please."
"Those horrible monkeys chatter constantly," Kaa muttered. "And they are foolish and lazy." He swung toward Bagheera. "What do the monkeys call me—a yellow fish?"
Bagheera lowered his head. "A yellow earthworm. And other terrible names."
"I'm going to remind them to speak well of me!" Kaa snapped. "Where did they go?"
"We thought you might know, Kaa," Baloo said.
"I do know they moved to a different part of the jungle today." Kaa hissed. "I heard them laughing among the treetops earlier. But I—"
"Up! Up!" A sharp cry came from above.
Baloo looked up. Rann was flying across the sky.
"I have a message from Mowgli!" the hawk cried. "The monkeys have carried him deep into the jungle. He is now beyond the river—in Monkey City!"