Essential question
How does Rikki win by controlling what Nagaina wants?
Marked passage
- Start anchor
- Rikki-tikki heard them going up the path from the stables, and he raced for the end of the melon-patch near the wall.
- End anchor
- "The widow will never come out again."
Final confrontation with Nagaina
Ways to teach it
Listening
Listen; same evidence task.
Solo
Read independently.
Supported
Narration + highlighting.
Teacher guide
Close
Name the single detail that most changed or sharpened your interpretation, and say why.
Evidence
Use one detail about the eggs and one detail showing Nagaina changing her action because of them.
Mark
Underline what Nagaina wants at each stage. Circle Rikki’s actions with the eggs. Draw arrows showing each change in Nagaina’s attention. Star the moment Teddy becomes safe.
Instructional move
Trace how a character turns an opponent’s motive into leverage
Notice
• What gives Rikki leverage over Nagaina? • How does the last egg change Nagaina’s immediate goal? • Which victory comes from strategy rather than speed or strength?
Strong answer
Rikki wins by recognizing that Nagaina’s last egg is more important to her than finishing the attack on Teddy. He uses the egg to redirect her attention, create a rescue opportunity, and force her into flight before pursuing her underground.
Think
Answer provisionally: How does Rikki win by controlling what Nagaina wants? Choose the strongest interpretation you can defend from this passage alone.
Watch for
Do not describe the ending only as a fight. The key move is Rikki’s manipulation of Nagaina’s priorities before the chase begins.
Why this passage
Rikki is physically brave, but the scene turns on strategy. He recognizes that Nagaina’s remaining egg matters more to her than the immediate attack, uses that knowledge to move her attention away from Teddy, and then forces the final fight on different terms.
Write
Write a short evidence-based response. Use at least two details from the assigned passage and explain how they support your interpretation.
Student tasks
Close
Name the single detail that most changed or sharpened your interpretation, and say why.
Mark
Underline what Nagaina wants at each stage. Circle Rikki’s actions with the eggs. Draw arrows showing each change in Nagaina’s attention. Star the moment Teddy becomes safe.
Notice
What gives Rikki leverage over Nagaina? How does the last egg change Nagaina’s immediate goal? Which victory comes from strategy rather than speed or strength?
Think
Answer provisionally: How does Rikki win by controlling what Nagaina wants?
Write
Write a short response using at least two pieces of evidence from this passage.