…and so the great war (sold)

The 1894 short story Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling has been one of my favorite stories since childhood. I was first introduced to the story by way of the wonderful Chuck Jones animated television special. I soon after hunted down the story at my local library. Kipling brings out a warmth to the characters . It is such a contained story and very detailed. I felt as if I had lived in the family’s hut and surrounding yard.

When I decided I wanted to sculpt a scene from the story there was no question which one it would be. I wanted to create the final confrontation between the heroic young mongoose and the revenge seeking king cobra Nagaina.