Kim

“He sat, in defiance of municipal orders, astride the gun Zam-Zammah on her brick platform opposite the old Ajaib-Gher—the Wonder House, as the natives call the Lahore Museum. Who hold Zam-Zammah, that ‘fire-breathing dragon,’ hold the Punjab, for the great green-bronze piece is always first of the conqueror’s loot.”

These are the novel’s opening lines, and they immediately paint a portrait of young Kim’s temperament as being bold and adventurous. The first sentence also introduces the reader to the theme of cultural diversity that runs throughout the book by giving both the native name and the English designation for the museum.

“His nickname through the wards was ‘Little Friend of all the World;’ and very often, being lithe and inconspicuous, he executed commissions by night on the crowded housetops for sleek and shiny young men of fashion. It was intrigue, of course—he knew that much, as he had known all evil since he could speak,—but what he loved was the game for its own sake […].”

In this quote, readers are introduced to Kim’s winsomeness, his outlook on the world, and the theme of “the game.” Even when he was a boy, far before any espionage missions, Kim carried out intrigues in the alleys of Lahore.

“‘Who art thou?’

         ‘Thy chela,’ said Kim simply, sitting on his heels. ‘I have never seen anyone like to thee in all this my life. I go with thee to Benares. And, too, I think that so old a man as thou, speaking the truth to chance-met people at dusk, is in great need of a disciple.’”

In this interaction, the lama and Kim converse shortly after meeting each other. The quote illustrates Kim’s boyish forthrightness—as he simply claims the office of disciple for himself—and his optimism and goodwill. He volunteers to join an adventure to far-off Benares simply because he can see that the lama needs someone to help him.