Originally published as part of Kipling's famous The Jungle Book, this is the story of Rikki Tikki Tavi, the little mongoose rescued by a family when he was half-drowned in a storm. With 50 original illustrations by Robert Ingpen.

A short story originally published as part of The Jungle Book.


When a family moves to India and rescues a half-drowned mongoose called Rikki-tikki-tavi, they grow very fond of the cheeky fellow and soon he runs in and out of the house as much as he pleases. The happy mongoose eats at the table with the mother and father, and sleeps in the nursery with their little boy, Teddy.

But the family do not realise that evil lives in the bushes by their home – a pair of king cobras, who are plotting to kill the whole family so they can rule the garden!

Only Rikki-tikki-tavi can save the family from certain death, but is he brave and strong enough to fight both of them alone?


Rikki-tikki-tavi was originally published as part of The Jungle Book in 1894. In this edition, Kipling's story is complete and unabridged.

With atmospheric illustrations from the award-winning artist, Robert Ingpen.


'Ingpen's drawings are utterly compelling' – Michael Morpurgo