Feral Children

Andreea Pulpea

Born to be wild？

People have always been fascinated by stories of children raised by animals. Also called ‘feral’， such children have lived away from humans from an early age and have not experienced social behaviour or human communication.

Fact and fiction

We have heard the stories and seen the films. Mowgli， the boy lost in the jungle， was my childhood hero. I watched him taking his first steps outside the care and protection of his adoptive wolf family. I loved his adventures in an animal world filled with funny bears， curious monkeys and dangerous tigers. But how close are such fictional tales to reality？

Raised in the wild

One of the first documented cases of feral children is Peter’s. He was found in the woods in 1724， aged 12. He climbed trees， ate plants and could not speak. He spent 68 years in society but the only words he ever said were ‘Peter’ and ‘King George’.

John ran away aged 3 and was found a few years later （in 1991） hiding in a tree with a family of green African monkeys. He remembers the monkeys coming up to him， days after he had left his home， offering roots and nuts. His adoptive family were so upset when people came to take John that they threw sticks to stop them.

Traian disappeared when he was 4. He was found in 2002 in a cardboard box in a forest. A pack of wild dogs had cared for him for three years. His mother recognised him during the TV programme announcing his discovery.

Difficulties

Like Mowgli， who found humans scary， feral children experience huge difficulties when they return to human society.

Many have trouble learning to walk upright and show no interest in the human activity around them. Some may never be able to learn a human language.

A happy end for some

In the months following his return to society， Traian lost many of his animal-like traits. He quickly switched from walking on all fours to walking upright. He is now 17 and doing well in school. His teachers describe him as a tall， intelligent teenager， who loves football and spending time on Facebook.

Activity 1

Before you read， match the word or phrase to a definition.

1. adoptive 2. documented 3. fictional

4. trait 5. walk upright

a feature or characteristic that someone has

having taken somebody else’s child into their care

invented; part of a story

supported by written data

using two feet to move

Activity 2

Now complete the sentences using words and phrases from the text. Make any changes to the words that are necessary.

1. Although he never forgot his biological mother， he really loved his （______） family.

2. He showed all the （______） of a perfect gentleman.

3. Humans started to （______） 4 million years ago.

4. Cinderella was my favourite （______） character when I was a child.

5. The social behaviour of chimpanzees was （______） in a 2004 book by Jane Goodall.

Activity 3

Answer the questions below using information from the text.

Who ...

1. ... is a fictional character？

2. ... was raised by monkeys？

3. ... likes using social media networks？

4. ... managed to make a full recovery？

5. ... was found hiding in a tree？

6. ... was only able to say three words？

7. ... saw her son on TV？

Activity 4

Change the sentences below so that they start with the word（s） in bold and use a passive verb. Make sure the meaning stays the same.

Example： Some people found Peter in 1724.

Peter was found in 1724.

1. The monkeys gave John roots and nuts.

2. Sometimes people invent stories about wild children.

3. Some wild dogs cared for Traian in the forest.

4. A family of wolves adopted Mowgli when he was a baby.

5. His teachers describe Traian as an intelligent teenager.

Activity 5

Do you know any other stories about feral children？

Do you think you could survive in the wild？ For how long？

What would you miss most if you left human society for a while？

Answers

Activity 1

1. b; 2. d; 3. c; 4. a; 5. e

Activity 2

1. adoptive; 2. traits; 3. walk upright; 4. fictional; 5. documented

Activity 3

1. Mowgli; 2. John; 3. Traian; 4. Traian; 5. John; 6. Peter; 7. Traian’s mother

Activity 4

1. John was given roots and nuts （by the monkeys）.

2. Stories about wild children are sometimes invented.

3. Traian was cared for by wild dogs in the forest.

4. Mowgli was adopted by a family of wolves when he was a baby.

5. Traian is described as an intelligent teenager （by his teachers）.