What’s Up With the Ending?

At the end of Mowgli's story, Mowgli kills Shere Khan and ends up with a nice tiger suit that wouldn't look out of place at Fashion Week. At the end of Kotick's story, the white seal finds a safe beach for his seal friends, who are tired of clubbing. Rikki-tikki-tavi defeats the snakes; Toomai sees the elephants dance; and a bunch of animals go on parade.

All the stories end the same way: Our hero(s) triumph(s). These happy endings all come with a sweet little moral built in: Be true to yourself and persevere, and you will succeed.