Akela, also known as The Lone Wolf or Big Wolf, is a fictional character from Rudyard Kipling’s stories, The Jungle Book (1894) and The Second Jungle Book (1895). He is depicted as the leader of the Seeonee pack of Indian wolves and plays a significant role in the council meetings of the pack1. In the stories, Akela becomes one of Mowgli’s mentors after the pack adopts the lost child. The name ‘Akela’ means “single or solitary” in Hindi, which fits his character as he is often portrayed as a wise and noble leader1.
In the narrative, his enemy, Shere Khan the tiger, and some young wolves who wish to depose him challenge Akela. Despite not being old, Akela faces a situation where he cannot catch a deer deliberately driven towards him, leading to a council meeting to decide his fate. Mowgli defends him with a blazing branch, driving Shere Khan and his allies away. After this event, Akela chooses to hunt alone, and later, he assists Mowgli in killing Shere Khan1.
Akela’s character is also significant in that his death, after a battle with the dholes, is a major factor in Mowgli’s decision to return to human society at the age of 171. The character of Akela has been adapted in various films and other media, often maintaining his role as a wise and strong leader of the wolf pack.
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