Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Summary

A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.

Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a work with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the short story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

Example "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" Plot Diagram

Exposition

Rikki-tikki, a mongoose, is swept from his burrow by a flood and is rescued by Teddy. Teddy’s father, the Englishman, says mongooses are not only safe to have in a house, but excellent protectors against the deadly snakes in the area. The family adopts Rikki-tikki.

Conflict

There are two deadly cobras, Nag and Nagaina, who threaten the safety of the garden. Rikki-tikki decides he will kill the cobras, but first, he kills another deadly snake. It is his first kill, and the Englishman and his wife are impressed. He is hailed a hero. This only makes Rikki-tikki want to kill Nag and Nagaina more. He feels responsible for the safety of the family and the garden animals.

Rising Action

Nag decides to sneak into the house to kill the humans. He falls asleep in the bathroom while he waits for the humans to wake up. Rikki-tikki realizes he is there and attacks. The mongoose wins a terrible battle against the cobra. In the morning, the Englishman again hails Rikki-tikki a hero, chops Nag in half, and throws the snake on the trash pile.

Climax

Nagaina, thinking the man killed her husband, tries to kill the human family. Darzee’s wife fakes a broken wing, making a racket to distract Nagaina, who has cornered the entire family on the porch. Nagaina, unable to resist an easy kill, begins to chase the bird. With the snake occupied, the family escapes, and Rikki-tikki kills the unhatched cobras. He smashes all but one of the eggs, but realizes that Nagaina is preparing to bite Teddy.

Falling Action

Rikki-tikki brings the last egg and taunting Nagaina. She begs for her baby back. Rikki-tikki knows that if he does not kill Nagaina, neither the family, nor the garden animals will ever be safe. He attacks and chases her into her underground den. Darzee sings a sad song, for nothing can beat a cobra in its own den. But Rikki-tikki emerges victorious, announcing that he has killed Nagaina.

Resolution

The family and animals rejoice. Rikki-tikki eats a huge celebration meal with the family, and settles down as the proud protector of his human family and garden-animal friends.