The wolf-child has little except his
outward form to show that it is a human being with a soul. It is
a fearful and terrible thing, and hard to understand, that the
mere fact of a child's complete isolation from its own kind
should bring it to such a state of absolute degradation. Of
course, they speak no language, though some, in time, have
learned to make known their wants by signs. When first taken they
fear the approach of adults, and, if possible, will slink out of
sight; but should a child of their own size, or smaller, come
near, they will growl, and even snap and bite at it. On the other
hand, the close proximity of "pariah" dogs or jackals is
unresented, in some cases welcomed; for I have heard of them
sharing their food with these animals, and even petting and
fondling them. They have in time been brought to a cooked-meat
diet, but would always prefer raw flesh. Some have been kept
alive after being reclaimed for as long as two years, but for
some reason or other they all sicken and die, generally long
before that time. One would think, however, that, having
undoubtedly robust constitutions, they might be saved if treated
in a scientific manner and properly managed."
Rudyard Kipling, possibly inspired by accounts of these
wolf-children in India, has ingeniously constructed an
interesting series of fabulous stories of a child who was brought
up by the beasts of the jungles and taught their habits and their
mode of communication.
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