The Madness of Private Ortheris by Rudyard Kipling

Ortheris, a London-born soldier in India, reaches a psychological breaking point due to loneliness, heat, and the emotional toll of military life. In an emotional outburst, he considers desertion and violence, only to be calmed by his comrades and a quiet moment of understanding. The plot is simple but powerful, focusing on emotional release and camaraderie. Kipling shows rare vulnerability in a hardened soldier. A moving portrait of mental strain and human connection in the ranks.