Real-life 'Mowgli' reflects on surviving 12 days in Siberian forest with her dog a decade after ordeal

Many of us grew up enchanted by "The Jungle Book," where a boy named Mowgli was raised by wolves in the heart of the jungle. Rudyard Kipling’s classic story has captivated generations, blending adventure with lessons about survival, friendship and belonging. But did you know there was a real-life Mowgli? In 2014, a 3-year-old Russian girl named Karina Chikitova got lost in the wilds of Siberia. While trying to follow her father through the Siberian forest, the little girl and her dog became disoriented. Despite the overwhelming situation, Chikitova miraculously survived the harsh conditions until her rescue after 12 days. Now, a decade later, she has opened up about her dog, Naida, her aspirations, and more in an interview with a Russian state TV, reports Daily Mail.

Chikitova revealed she had no memory of the harrowing experience in the wilderness. However, the teenager shared a picture of her furry friend Naida, saying, "This is my dog Naida. She was with me in the forest, but I no longer remember how I played with her, or how she saved me." Notably, Chikitova had won a Russian children's beauty contest but expressed her aspiration to study medicine and become a doctor. In addition to her academic goals, she is an exceptional ballet dancer and was selected for the world's northernmost professional ballet school.

"It is hard and painful to stand on the pointe shoes, to hold your hands, to stretch the legs, lots of things," Chikitova shared with Wion News. Though she claimed to have no memories of her harrowing ordeal, her incredible story would go on to inspire generations. Chikitova's bravery became a testament to human resilience and the undefeatable will to survive. But there was yet another hero in her story—Artyom Borisov, the man who rescued the little girl from the Siberian wilderness.

"She was sitting deep in deep grass, completely silent. I didn't actually notice her. She saw me and stretched her arms forward. I picked her up, she was so tiny, so light, like fluff. She didn't have shoes on. Her face, legs and arms were bitten to blood (by mosquitos). She was dead scared. Straight away she asked for water and food and burst into tears. To be honest, I could hardly hold back tears, too," he told reporters. Chikitova later credited her dog, Naida, for staying by her side throughout the ordeal and providing her with comfort and protection during the 12 days in the Siberian wilderness.

"It was Naida who rescued me. I was really, really scared," the little one said at the time. "But when we were going to sleep I hugged her, and together we were warm." Naida played a crucial role in Chikitova's survival. The dog’s fur likely kept Chikitova warm during the cold nights, and together, they foraged for wild berries and drank from rivers to survive. After Chikitova’s family alerted authorities to her disappearance, a search involving 100 people and multiple helicopters was launched. Ultimately, it was Naida who led rescuers to the young girl. When Chikitova was finally reunited with the loyal dog, her first words were, "Why did you leave me?" showing the deep bond between the two.