The Law of the Jungle

For reasons I’ll not expound upon, I was thinking about the Law of the jungle this morning. My memory of it was that it is to “kill or be killed.” I can’t recall when or where I got that definition of the law of the jungle, only that it was at some point in my childhood. But my nerdy self decided to revisit my memory of this thing. Thing, hmm, I suppose a law is a thing. I suppose this is a real law. It says it’s a law right in the title. It must be a real law or at least it is as far as I’m concerned. Not a law like don’t shoplift, but a universal law like gravity.

What makes a law a law? Who decides? What percentage of a population must accept the law for it to be a accepted? If it isn’t accepted does it cease to be a law? If 99% of a population doesn’t accept the law of gravity, does that mean that the law of gravity isn’t a law? If 99% of a population don’t accept the law of averages will the universe tip over? I’m pretty sure I know what would happen if 99% of people didn’t accept the law to wear your seat belt. So one is a law in deed and the other in name. The seat belt law would change one way or another if nobody wanted to buckle up, and nobody did. It would be impossible for even the most zealous police force to enforce and maintain that order.

Yes most of us know and understand the difference between these two types of laws. Most is probably being generous, but I digress. The point being one is theoretically immutable while the other is elastic. That got me thinking a little bit about how the law of the jungle is mostly the first, but has some elements of the latter. What I found was I was right and wrong.

A quick internet search and I learned the law of the jungle isn’t really a law of either kind, but a phrase, a phrase attached to a set of laws wolves lived under. The phrase was introduced by Rudyard Kipling in his 1894 book “The Jungle Book.” The phrase was later expanded upon in the follow up, “The Second Jungle Book,” in 1895. I’m unsure where the “kill or be killed” I’ve attributed to it originated, or even if that was widely understood or isolated to my family and other small pockets.

While not a law it is still powerful and relevant to this day. I know I’m not the only one familiar with it. I’m pretty sure this is a phrase used frequently in political rhetoric among other occasions. The phrase describes something that, as far as I can imagine, always has and always will be relevant. Relevant at least to the life forms currently understood by our collective human consciousness. Brute force wins. There are exceptions. But usually the strong survive while the weak perish.

However my quick research led me to understand my interpretation of the law of the jungle, ” kill or be killed” wasn’t accurate. In some ways my understanding aligns Kipling’s poem “The Law of the Jungle.” However in my view the key word in the poem is obey. “Obey or be killed” instead of “kill or be killed.” Interesting how one word can make such a big difference. I have to wonder if that was intentional, and if so how it was manipulated.

It’s interesting the things we think we know and how they differ from what is accurate. The only actual exposure I had with the Jungle Book was as a kid and seeing the movie. I don’t remember much at all about it. I don’t remember if the law of the jungle is even mentioned in the Disney film. I would assume it must be at least mentioned as Jungle Book is the source of the phrase, and the phrase has obviously been widely spread. I’m going to need to watch the Disney version again soon to satisfy my curiosity.

In my opinion this poem is critical and subversive at the same time as it is plainly educational. I guess the whole Jungle Book thing was aimed at a younger audience. He was kind of an early childhood writer if my memory serves.

I don’t know much about Kipling. I want to know more. So many interesting things in the world and so little time. I’m glad there are people dedicated to keeping his vision alive. I’ll definitely make some time for him.

Now this is the Law of the Jungle — as old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die. 
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back —
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.

Wash daily from nose-tip to tail-tip; drink deeply, but never too deep;
And remember the night is for hunting, and forget not the day is for sleep.
The Jackal may follow the Tiger, but, Cub, when thy whiskers are grown,
Remember the Wolf is a Hunter — go forth and get food of thine own.
Keep peace with the Lords of the Jungle — the Tiger, the Panther, and Bear.
And trouble not Hathi the Silent, and mock not the Boar in his lair.
When Pack meets with Pack in the Jungle, and neither will go from the trail,
Lie down till the leaders have spoken — it may be fair words shall prevail.
When ye fight with a Wolf of the Pack, ye must fight him alone and afar,
Lest others take part in the quarrel, and the Pack be diminished by war.
The Lair of the Wolf is his refuge, and where he has made him his home,
Not even the Head Wolf may enter, not even the Council may come.
The Lair of the Wolf is his refuge, but where he has digged it too plain,
The Council shall send him a message, and so he shall change it again.
If ye kill before midnight, be silent, and wake not the woods with your bay,
Lest ye frighten the deer from the crop, and your brothers go empty away.
Ye may kill for yourselves, and your mates, and your cubs as they need, and ye can;
But kill not for pleasure of killing, and seven times never kill Man!
If ye plunder his Kill from a weaker, devour not all in thy pride;
Pack-Right is the right of the meanest; so leave him the head and the hide.
The Kill of the Pack is the meat of the Pack. Ye must eat where it lies;
And no one may carry away of that meat to his lair, or he dies.
The Kill of the Wolf is the meat of the Wolf. He may do what he will;
But, till he has given permission, the Pack may not eat of that Kill.
Cub-Right is the right of the Yearling. From all of his Pack he may claim
Full-gorge when the killer has eaten; and none may refuse him the same.
Lair-Right is the right of the Mother. From all of her year she may claim
One haunch of each kill for her litter, and none may deny her the same.
Cave-Right is the right of the Father — to hunt by himself for his own:
He is freed of all calls to the Pack; he is judged by the Council alone.
Because of his age and his cunning, because of his gripe and his paw,
In all that the Law leaveth open, the word of your Head Wolf is Law.
Now these are the Laws of the Jungle, and many and mighty are they;
But the head and the hoof of the Law and the haunch and the hump is — Obey!

Rudyard Kipling

Good night.