The Mark Of The Beast - Rudyard Kipling

"The Mark of the Beast" is a gripping short story by Rudyard Kipling, a renowned British author known for his captivating narratives set in colonial India. First published in 1890, this tale delves into the supernatural realm.
"The Mark of the Beast" follows the protagonist, an Englishman named Fleete, and his friend Strickland as they encounter a sinister Hindu shrine while drunkenly wandering the streets one night. In a fit of arrogance and disregard for local customs, Fleete desecrates the shrine and mocks the gods. As a result, he incurs the wrath of a vengeful deity, who inflicts upon him a horrific curse in the form of a mark resembling a cobra.

Rudyard Kipling masterfully weaves together elements of horror and social commentary, using vivid descriptions and atmospheric details to immerse readers in the exotic setting of colonial India.