Read the Prereading information on page 249 and look at the pictures on pages 250 and 255. Discuss briefly what you think the story will be about. Then create a chart like the one on page 249. List the names of the following characters in the left-hand column: Rikki-tikki, Darzee, Nag, Nagaina, Chuchundra, and Karait.
Read the story and keep track of the human characteristics you find for each character.
If you are having difficulty writing down human characteristics, find a partner and read portions of the story aloud. Read the story silently until you come to a Guided Reading Question. Then stop and read the text near the question aloud to your partner. Write down your answer to the question, and underline parts of your answer that describe what each of the animal characters is like.
Discuss each of the animal characters. What human characteristics do they take on? Read aloud the sections of the story that show animals acting as humans.