How the Camel Got Its Hump
adapted from a story by Rudyard Kipling
Long, long ago, Horse, Camel, Ox, and Dog lived in the desert. In charge of the desert was a wise man.
One day, the wise man appeared and told the animals they must work to get their food. Most of the animals did their work, carrying things for the wise man. Camel was lazy, however, so he just ate sticks and leaves.
When Dog asked for help with the work, Camel just said, “Humpf,” and walked away. When Ox asked Camel to help, Camel “humpfed” again. Horse said to Camel, “You have to do your share!” Camel replied with another “humpf.”
The wise man saw that the animals had not done all the work. “You will have to work harder and also finish Camel’s work.” Ox, Dog, and Horse were upset and talked about what to do. Again, they asked Camel to do his share of work. Camel just said, “Humpf.”
The animals called upon the wise man. “Is it fair for Camel to leave us with his work?” they asked him.
“No,” he said. “I will take care of this.”
The wise man found Camel chewing noisily on twigs in the middle of the desert. “Because you are lazy, the other animals have to do your work,” he told Camel.
“You’ll be sorry if you say that again,” said the wise man.
“Humpf,” said Camel. “Humpf, humpf,” he huffed and puffed.
As Camel huffed and puffed and “humpfed” again, he saw a big hump start to grow in the middle of his back.
“Now, you will work,” the wise man told him.
“I can’t work with this hump on my back!” cried Camel.
“Of course you can,” said the wise man. “The hump is filled with fat. Your body can use it instead of food. You can work without eating for three days.”
“Camel said, “Humpf, humpf.” Then he joined the other animals and went to work.
From that day on, all camels have had a hump on their backs.