Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling

My previous experience with the Jungle Book was the Disney movie, which I admit I enjoyed. Kipling's take was a bit deeper, I have to say. The moralistic stories discuss acceptance, learning, role in society, and bravery. Characters are loved for who they are, but at the same time their innate differences (especially in Mowgli's case) still drive them apart in the end. The Jungle Book makes me want to explore India, see for myself the "rule of the jungle." The allegory of the empire is strong, although only slightly critical, and there is a definite favor for the "innate right" of the conquerers. That being said, you can tell Kipling loved India.