# IX explained — Kim

> Chapter companion for Kim by Rudyard Kipling.

## What happens

Kim undergoes an intense ten-day training period with Lurgan Sahib, learning observation, disguise, and espionage skills. He plays the Jewel Game, observes visitors, and practices impersonation. A Bengali Babu, revealed to be a spy with a price on his head, evaluates Kim. Kim also encounters a phonograph that speaks to him in the night, which he silences by stuffing his coat into it. Lurgan Sahib treats Kim as an equal on the Asiatic side and promises to report favorably to Colonel Creighton.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education and Growth

Kim's intensive training in observation, disguise, and espionage under Lurgan Sahib.

### Deception and Disguise

Kim learns to change appearance, speech, and manner to impersonate various castes and characters.

### The Great Game and Espionage

The Babu's role as a spy with a price on his head; Kim's training for future intelligence work.

## Character check-ins

### Lurgan Sahib

Trains Kim in observation, disguise, and espionage; treats Kim as an equal on the Asiatic side.

### Kim

Immerses himself in training, excels at disguise, and silences a talking phonograph.

### Hurree Chunder Mookerjee

Visits Lurgan Sahib as a Babu spy; evaluates Kim's performance and discusses his own role as a chain-man.

### Colonel Creighton

Referenced as the Colonel to whom Lurgan Sahib will report about Kim.

### Mahbub Ali

Referenced indirectly as one of those with a price on his head; Kim thinks of him during training.

## Key lines

> Learn first⁠—teach later

Master the skill before attempting to instruct others.

_Lurgan Sahib's teaching philosophy._

> By doing it many times over till it is done perfectly⁠—for it is worth doing.

Repetition leads to perfection, and the effort is worthwhile.

_The Hindu boy's advice to Kim on learning._

> I think there is a great deal in you; but you must not become proud and you must not talk.

You have potential, but stay humble and discreet.

_Lurgan Sahib's warning to Kim after praising his abilities._

> How great, therefore, and desirable must be a business that brazens the heart of a Bengali!

The espionage work must be immensely rewarding to embolden even a timid Bengali.

_Lurgan Sahib's reflection on the Babu's courage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/kim_se/chapters/ix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/kim_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/kim_se/chapters