I slowly opened my eyes. The light from the slow rising sun streamed in through a window. I lifted my head and listened but like the past week, there was only silence. I sighed as I got up. My family had been gone for some time and I was starting to think that they would never come back. I had no food left, so today was the day that I would leave the village. I took one last look around the empty, dim forgotten house before going outside through the doggie door. 

I walked to the back wall and slipped under it through the hole I had been digging. I shook off the dirt and dust before continuing. As I walked through the village, the people noticed me but no one seemed to care.

Oh well. More freedom for me, I thought.

I continued on my way straight into the jungle. It was so different here, so much more wild. Many more birds fluttered between the green trees, calling to one another. No people were in sight. That is, until I saw a young boy. As soon as he saw me, he ran up to me excitedly. He looked to be in his teen years.

"Hi, big guy! My name's Mowgli. Where did you come from?" he asked.

"I'm Kasper and I came from the village. My family left about a week ago and they haven't been back since," I explained.

"Well, you're welcome to stay with me," Mowgli offered.

"Thanks. I'd like that," I smiled.

Though I wondered what a boy his age was doing out here, I was too happy to ask. He led me deeper into the jungle until we got to a small clearing.

"Mowgli, who is it that comes with you?" a bigger dog asked.

"Akela, this is Kasper. I told him he could stay with me since he doesn't have a home," the boy answered.

"Where do you come from, Kasper?" the big dog, who's name I assumed was Akela, then asked me.

I told him the same thing I told Mowgli.

"I'm sorry but you can't live with us," he replied after.

    "What? Why?" the boy inquired, surprised.
    "He's a pet," he pointed out.
    "So?" Mowgli protested.
    "He doesn't fit in."
    "Neither did I, Akela!"
    The big dog sighed.

    "It's not that I don't approve. We're related to each other, after all. It's how the other animals might react, especially since Shere-Khan's sister is here," he said.

    "You're in charge though! You can tell them to accept him or leave," Mowgli mentioned.

    "It's not that easy. Look, I'll let him participate in the Jungle Games. If he wins, the animals may be more willing to let him stay," Akela told us.

    "I accept the offer," I said.

    "Very well. The opening ceremony is this evening and the first game begins tomorrow morning," he explained and I nodded.

    "Come on, Kasper. I'll show you where I live," Mowgli said as he started skipping away.

    I smiled and followed. When evening rolled around, we went back to the clearing. I saw a large variety of other animals and the strange looks some of them gave me.

    "Welcome to the opening ceremony of the Jungle Games. This year, we have a new contestant. Kasper, please come up," Akela started.

    I reluctantly listened and stood beside him. I heard the murmurs of the crowd and was able to make out a few things like "What is he?", "Where did he come from?", and "He doesn't look like any of us."

    "He comes from one of the most unlikely backgrounds. He's a dog, a human pet," Akela continued.

    Some gasped and the murmuring got louder.
    "A human pet? He can't join the Games."
    "He has no right to be here."
    "He should go back home."

    "Quiet down!" Akela ordered and suddenly everyone became silent.

"He came here looking for a new home. If he wins the Games, he will be allowed to stay as long as he wants," he finished.

Everyone dispersed. Some left but some stayed and talked. I wandered around for a bit until I heard someone whisper my name.

"Yeah you," I heard when I looked towards the bushes to see the head of a tiger sticking out.

"You should get out while you can. These events can be dangerous for someone your size," the tiger said.

"No thanks. I think I can take care of myself," I replied before walking off.

The next morning, a grey bear, a black panther, a tiger, a gorilla, and a jaguar lined up at the starting line for the race. I joined them and as soon as the signal to go was given, we all took off running. I quickly fell behind but stayed ahead of the grey bear, who didn't seem too intent on winning as he was just casually jogging and looking around. I never gained any ground and ended up in fifth only because the bear took his time. Mowgli took me to a pond where the animals were drinking.

About an hour later, the next event started. This time, a huge red-orange monkey, the gorilla, and Mowgli participated. The first obstacle we had to overcome was three big, stacked tree logs. After that, different sized tunnels where we had to find one we could fit through. Then, we had to weave through a small section of boulders. Finally, we jumped over a fairly large ditch. Mowgli came in second and I came in third.

The last event, sparring, took place in the evening. My first opponent was the tiger.

"You certainly are one determined little guy. My name's Fenjara, by the way," she said.

"I'm Kasper but I guess you know that."
She nodded.

"Listen, you've managed to make it this far but this is the toughest part. I mean, do you really think you can beat me? I'm so much bigger than you," she pointed out.

"I'm gonna try. I may be smaller but I could take you down," I stated as we started to circle each other.

"Keep telling yourself those lies, kid. In the end, you'll only get hurt."

"Maybe but maybe not. It's a risk worth taking."

"Really? A place to live means that much to you? Why not just-"

"It's not about where I live. It's about who I live with."

Fenjara fell silent, obviously deep in thought. After a few moments, she nodded before lying down.

"Kasper is the winner of round one by surrender! Now for the final match up: Bagheera versus Kasper," Akela announced.

Fenjara then stood up and walked away silently. The grey bear moved to the sidelines as the black panther and I approached each other. Instead of circling, we stared at each other as we slowly walked towards one another. I was about to jump on him but he swatted me like a fly with his massive paw. I stayed down for a minute as I tried to push away the pain but apparently that was long enough for him to win. The animals cheered and gathered around him as Mowgli came running to me.

"Kasper! Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.
"Yeah, I'll live," I replied as I slowly got up.
That evening, Akela announced the winners.

"Everyone did very well and I hope you all had fun. Fenjara, King Louie, and Bagheera are the winners. However, though Kasper didn't win, he still did really well. He proved today that he is one of us, whether he looks like us or not. Therefore, I am allowing him to stay as long he wishes," Akela announced.

Some animals whispered amongst themselves and I heard someone say, "I guess he isn't that much different from us."

I smiled to myself, happy that I had finally found a new home.