` But thou hast said he was low-caste and discourteous . ' ` Low-caste I did not say , for how can that be which is not ? Afterwards he amended his discourtesy , and I forgot the offence . Moreover , he is as we are , bound upon the Wheel of Things ; but he does not tread the way of deliverance . ' He halted at a little runlet among the fields , and considered the hoof-pitted bank . ` Now , how wilt thou know thy River ? ' said Kim , squatting in the shade of some tall sugar-cane . ` When I find it , an enlightenment will surely be given . This , I feel , is not the place . O littlest among the waters , if only thou couldst tell me where runs my River ! But be thou blessed to make the fields bear ! ' ` Look ! Look ! ' Kim sprang to his side and dragged him back . A yellow-and-brown streak glided from the purple rustling stems to the bank , stretched its neck to the water , drank , and lay still -- a big cobra with fixed , lidless eyes . ' I have no stick -- I have no stick , ' said Kim . ' I will get me one and break his back . ' ` Why ? He is upon the Wheel as we are -- a life ascending or descending -- very far from deliverance . Great evil must the soul have done that is cast into this shape . ' '
I hate all snakes , ' XXXXX Kim .
ascending break dragged find forgot get given halted said sprang