Rikki-tikki-tavi is a very brave mongoose who will do whatever it takes to protect Teddy and his family from the vicious cobras Nag and Nagaina. Though still only a young mongoose, Rikki is brimful of courage and will never back down from a fight. Teddy and his family are very lucky to have such a redoubtable protector in their corner.

Even so, Rikki is mature enough and smart enough to exercise caution when it matters. A prime illustration of this comes after Nagaina launches a vicious attack on him while Nag tries to divert the mongoose's attention by engaging him in conversation. Thankfully, Rikki's been warned by the tailorbird Darzee, an implacable enemy of the deadly cobras, and is able to get out of the way just in time.

In the ensuing struggle, Rikki manages to get on top of Nagaina's back and bites her. However, he doesn't go the whole hog and kill her, as he lacks experience in fighting cobras. This leaves Nagaina feeling torn and angry, and she and Nag slink back into the forest, ready to return and have their revenge.

As well as lack of experience, Rikki held back from trying to kill Nagaina because he knew that Nag would intervene to save her. Then it would've been an unfair fight: two cobras against one mongoose. Rikki is careful and cautious enough to realize that he's much better off taking on the cobras separately rather than together.