The Undertakers by Rudyard Kipling
The narrative unfolds along an Indian river, where a crocodile, known as the Mugger, and a jackal engage in a dialogue about their lives and the changes brought by the construction of a railway bridge. The Mugger, a seasoned predator, reflects on his past, recounting how he once thrived on the abundance of food during floods and the chaos of human conflicts. He expresses a sense of loss as the bridge has altered the river's ecosystem, making it harder for him to hunt. The jackal, a cunning and opportunistic character, flatters the Mugger while seeking scraps of food. Their conversation reveals the Mugger's wisdom and experience, as he shares insights about human nature and the cycles of life along the river. The Mugger's pride in his role as a protector of the village contrasts with the jackal's more self-serving tendencies. As night falls, the Mugger reminisces about a time when he was revered by the villagers, who would offer him marigold wreaths. However, he also harbors a desire for a specific white child he once encountered, which haunts him. The jackal, ever opportunistic, listens intently, hoping to glean information about potential meals. The story takes a darker turn when two Englishmen arrive, armed and intent on hunting the Mugger, whom they view as a threat. Despite the Mugger's attempts to maintain his dignity and connection to the villagers, he ultimately falls victim to the hunters' guns. The narrative concludes with the jackal and the Adjutant, who reflect on the Mugger's demise, highlighting the cycle of life and death in the natural world, where even the most formidable creatures can be brought down by human intervention. The themes of survival, respect for the aged, and the impact of modernization on traditional ecosystems are woven throughout the tale.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1890 · Genre: Fable, Adventure, Fantasy · 11,726 words
First lines
When ye say to Tabaqui, "My Brother! " when ye call the Hyena to meat, Ye may cry the Full Truce with Jacala -- the Belly that runs on four feet. Jungle Law
"Respect the aged!"
What this Textopian page supports
The Undertakers is listed on Textopian as a novella by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1890 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1890 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Adventure, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Satire
- Length: 11,726 words
- Structure: 1 section, 148 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Undertakers by Rudyard Kipling
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Undertakers?
- How does this novella by Rudyard Kipling fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- An Habitation Enforced by Rudyard Kipling
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- Death And The Child by Stephen Crane
- The White Rose Road by Sarah Orne Jewett
- From A Mournful Villager by Sarah Orne Jewett
Genres
- Fable — The story features anthropomorphized animals and conveys moral lessons, characteristic of fables.
- Adventure — The narrative includes elements of adventure through the interactions and experiences of the Mugger and the Jackal.
- Fantasy — The presence of talking animals and a mythical setting contributes to the fantasy genre.
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deeper themes of survival, morality, and the human condition through allegorical storytelling.
Tags
death · burial · grief · loss · mortality · tradition · rituals · society · family · cultural practices · human experience · emotional struggle