What role does Kaa play in Mowgli’s life in The Jungle Book?

In Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, Kaa is a wise but feared python who serves as one of Mowgli’s mentors.1

While popular adaptations, such as the 1967 Disney film, have portrayed Kaa as a ridiculous or villainous figure, the original text establishes the snake as a respected and formidable presence in the jungle. Alongside other mentors like Baloo and Bagheera, Kaa plays a significant role in guiding Mowgli as he navigates the laws and dangers of his environment.1