What a lovely reflection on this character in his original(?) incarnation. I understand what you mean about experiencing literature/fiction differently as a child. I think that when I was really young, specific phrases and words had a much bigger impression on me than overall narrative or plot. I have to admit I know very little of Kipling's originals (they're dismissed nowadays as chauvinistic/colonial/whatever) but your idea of Bagheera sounds delightful.