Ah, Kipling. As a child living in the Commonwealth, I certainly was confronted with Kipling. For me, the final stanza of “The Young British Soldier” was always especially memorable, and certainly the kind of thing that would warm the heart of any kiddie...
When you’re wounded and left on Afghanistan’s plains,
And the women come out to cut up what remains,
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An’ go to your Gawd like a soldier.
Of course there are other verses that deal with alcohol abuse and having a colleague sleeping with your wife, but nothing satisfies like desperate suicide. Thanks Rudyard, for searing that imagery in my mind for the last 45 years.
LOL. I've loved Kipling for decades. You're right, though. Might want to keep the regimental ditties out of young kids hands, as they aren't likely to understand the sentiments behind it. However, his Just So stories, Kim, and the Jungle Book tales are awesome. I'll hate Disney forever for what they did to Jungle Book. Best thing is, they are all available for free as ebook downloads from Project Gutenberg. I wish we'd had ebook readers around when my kids were young.
I have fond memories of curling up on my dad’s lap as he read The Jungle Books to me…. his Rik Tik Riky Tik still rings in my ears. That and If and Tommy….his stories and poetry were (are) the best reading any young child or even adult can do