Shere Khan is the tiger in Rudyard Kipling’s classic book of animal tales, The Jungle Book. He’s described as “the Big One” for his hunting skills and “the Lame One” by his mother because of his one lame foot from birth. Readers can see his threat and brilliance in two key stories in The Jungle Book, “Mowgli’s Brothers” and “Tiger! Tiger!”
Rudyard Kipling published The Jungle Book in 1894, based on his experiences living in India during the British occupation. His book of classic tales became a staple in children’s books about animals, gaining even greater popularity and cultural longevity with the 1967 Disney movie by the same name.
When is Shere Khan first mentioned in The Jungle Book?
Shere Khan is mentioned in the very first story of The Jungle Book called “Mowgli’s Brothers.” This story begins with Mother and Father Wolf learning from Tabaqui, the jackal, that Shere Khan has changed his hunting grounds to come their way. They discover a man’s cub, who they name Mowgli, near their cave and must decide what to do when Shere Khan comes looking for his prey.
Tabaqui sat still, rejoicing in the mischief that he had made, and then he said spitefully:
“Shere Khan, the Big One, has shifted his hunting grounds. He will hunt among these hills for the next moon, so he has told me.”
Shere Khan was the tiger who lived near the Waingunga River, twenty miles away.
His mother did not call him Lungri (the Lame One) for nothing,” said Mother Wolf quietly. “He has been lame in one foot from his birth. That is why he has only killed cattle. Now the villagers of the Waingunga are angry with him, and he has come here to make our villagers angry. They will scour the jungle for him when he is far away, and we and our children must run when the grass is set alight. Indeed, we are very grateful to Shere Khan!”
“Shall I tell him of your gratitude?” said Tabaqui.
“Out!” snapped Father Wolf. “Out and hunt with thy master. Thou hast done harm enough for one night.
What other mentions are there of Shere Khan in The Jungle Book?
Shere Khan is also mentioned in the later story “Tiger! Tiger!” Mowgli, now older, has been found by villagers and taken in when he learns that Shere Khan is back and looking to kill him. Mowgli must decide how to deal with the vicious tiger and which of his friends—animal and human—he should trust for help.
“It is an order,” said Mowgli. “I am a village herd for a while. What news of Shere Khan?”
“He has come back to this country, and has waited here a long time for thee. Now he has gone off again, for the game is scarce. But he means to kill thee.”
“Very good,” said Mowgli. “So long as he is away do thou or one of the four brothers sit on that rock, so that I can see thee as I come out of the village. When he comes back wait for me in the ravine by the dhâk-tree in the center of the plain. We need not walk into Shere Khan’s mouth.”
Want to read this story and more? Get The Jungle Books, Penny Magic’s collection of both The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book in one volume. Sign up to download the ebook or a printable PDF, or find the book in our store.