Bubbling Well Road
The narrative unfolds in a remote area near the Chenab River, where a character ventures into a dense jungle-grass patch known for its dangers. The protagonist, driven by the desire to hunt a formidable boar, becomes lost in the oppressive heat and thick vegetation. Accompanied by his dog, Mr. Wardle, he navigates the treacherous terrain, only to encounter a mysterious well that emits unsettling laughter. As he peers into the well, he discovers dark, unsettling shapes in the water, accompanied by the sound of a spring that seems to mock him. The protagonist's exploration of the well heightens his sense of dread, as he realizes the presence of something sinister lurking beneath the surface. Despite his fear, he manages to find a path leading to a priest's hut, where the priest, terrified by the protagonist's appearance, reacts with panic. The protagonist's experience is marked by a blend of curiosity and horror, as he learns from the villagers that the jungle is rumored to be inhabited by malevolent spirits and that the priest engages in dark practices. The villagers' superstitions and the protagonist's own harrowing experience culminate in a desire to uncover the truth behind the well and the jungle's mysteries. Ultimately, the protagonist's attempt to set the jungle ablaze in hopes of revealing its secrets is thwarted by the lushness of the grass. The story concludes with an unresolved tension, leaving the reader to ponder the dark forces at play in the jungle and the fate of those who have ventured into its depths.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1897 · Genre: Adventure, Horror, Mystery · 1,664 words
First lines
[Footnote: Copyright, 1891, by MACMILLAN & Co.]
Look out on a large scale map the place where the Chenab river falls into the Indus fifteen miles or so above the hamlet of Chachuran. Five miles west of Chachuran lies Bubbling Well Road, and the house of the gosain or priest of Arti-goth. It was the priest who showed me the road, but it is no thanks to him that I am able to tell this story.
What this Textopian page supports
Bubbling Well Road is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Horror, Mystery, Literary Fiction, Fantasy
- Length: 1,664 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bubbling Well Road by Rudyard Kipling
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Bubbling Well Road?
- How does this short story by Rudyard Kipling fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey into the jungle, facing challenges and exploring the unknown.
- Horror — The story contains elements of fear and the supernatural, particularly with the mention of devils, ghosts, and the eerie well.
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around uncovering the secrets of the Bubbling Well and the strange occurrences surrounding it.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and descriptive, focusing on character introspection and thematic depth.
Tags
adventure · mystery · India · colonialism · exploration · narrative · cultural clash · supernatural · folklore · historical fiction · travel · identity