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