TABLEOFCONTENTS：
HOWTHEWHALEGOTHISTHROAT
HOWTHECAMELGOTHISHUMP
HOWTHERHINOCEROSGOTHISSKIN
HOWTHELEOPARDGOTHISSPOTS
THEELEPHANT’SCHILD
THESING—SONGOFOLDMANKANGAROO
THEBEGINNINGOFTHEARMADILLOS
HOWTHEFIRSTLETTERWASWRITTEN
HOWTHEALPHABETWASMADE
THECRABTHATPLAYEDWITHTHESEA
THECATTHATWALKEDBYHIMSELF
THEBUTTERFLYTHATSTAMPED
HOWTHEWHALEGOTHISTHROAT
INthesea，onceuponatime，OmyBestBeloved，therewasaWhale，andheatefishes。Heatethestarfishandthegarfish，andthecrabandthedab，andtheplaiceandthedace，andtheskateandhismate，andthemackereelandthepickereel，andthereallytrulytwirly—whirlyeel。Allthefisheshecouldfindinalltheseaheatewithhismouth——so!Tillatlasttherewasonlyonesmallfishleftinallthesea，andhewasasmall’StuteFish，andheswamalittlebehindtheWhale’srightear，soastobeoutofharm’sway。ThentheWhalestooduponhistailandsaid，’I’mhungry。’Andthesmall’StuteFishsaidinasmall’stutevoice，’NobleandgenerousCetacean，haveyouevertastedMan？’
’No，’saidtheWhale。’Whatisitlike？’
’Nice，’saidthesmall’StuteFish。’Nicebutnubbly。’
’Thenfetchmesome，’saidtheWhale，andhemadetheseafrothupwithhistail。
’Oneatatimeisenough，’saidthe’StuteFish。’IfyouswimtolatitudeFiftyNorth，longitudeFortyWest（thatismagic），youwillfind，sitting_on_araft，_in_themiddleofthesea，withnothingonbutapairofbluecanvasbreeches，apairofsuspenders（youmust_not_forgetthesuspenders，BestBeloved），andajack—
knife，oneship—wreckedMariner，who，itisonlyfairtotellyou，isamanofinfinite—resource—and—sagacity。’
SotheWhaleswamandswamtolatitudeFiftyNorth，longitudeFortyWest，asfastashecouldswim，and_on_araft，_in_themiddleofthesea，_with_nothingtowearexceptapairofbluecanvasbreeches，apairofsuspenders（youmustparticularlyrememberthesuspenders，BestBeloved），_and_ajack—knife，hefoundonesingle，solitaryshipwreckedMariner，trailinghistoesinthewater。（Hehadhismummy’sleavetopaddle，orelsehewouldneverhavedoneit，becausehewasamanofinfinite—
resource—and—sagacity。）
ThentheWhaleopenedhismouthbackandbackandbacktillitnearlytouchedhistail，andheswallowedtheshipwreckedMariner，andtherafthewassittingon，andhisbluecanvasbreeches，andthesuspenders（whichyou_must_notforget），_and_
thejack—knife——Heswallowedthemalldownintohiswarm，dark，insidecup—boards，andthenhesmackedhislips——so，andturnedroundthreetimesonhistail。
ButassoonastheMariner，whowasamanofinfinite—resource—
and—sagacity，foundhimselftrulyinsidetheWhale’swarm，dark，insidecup—boards，hestumpedandhejumpedandhethumpedandhebumped，andheprancedandhedanced，andhebangedandheclanged，andhehitandhebit，andheleapedandhecreeped，andheprowledandhehowled，andhehoppedandhedropped，andhecriedandhesighed，andhecrawledandhebawled，andhesteppedandhelepped，andhedancedhornpipeswhereheshouldn’t，andtheWhalefeltmostunhappyindeed。（_Have_youforgottenthesuspenders？）
Sohesaidtothe’StuteFish，’Thismanisverynubbly，andbesidesheismakingmehiccough。WhatshallIdo？’
’Tellhimtocomeout，’saidthe’StuteFish。
SotheWhalecalleddownhisownthroattotheshipwreckedMariner，’Comeoutandbehaveyourself。I’vegotthehiccoughs。’
’Nay，nay!’saidtheMariner。’Notso，butfarotherwise。Takemetomynatal—shoreandthewhite—cliffs—of—Albion，andI’llthinkaboutit。’Andhebegantodancemorethanever。
’Youhadbettertakehimhome，’saidthe’StuteFishtotheWhale。’Ioughttohavewarnedyouthatheisamanofinfinite—resource—and—sagacity。’
SotheWhaleswamandswamandswam，withbothflippersandhistail，ashardashecouldforthehiccoughs；andatlasthesawtheMariner’snatal—shoreandthewhite—cliffs—of—Albion，andherushedhalf—wayupthebeach，andopenedhismouthwideandwideandwide，andsaid，’ChangehereforWinchester，Ashuelot，Nashua，Keene，andstationsonthe_Fitch_burgRoad；’andjustashesaid’Fitch’theMarinerwalkedoutofhismouth。ButwhiletheWhalehadbeenswimming，theMariner，whowasindeedapersonofinfinite—resource—and—sagacity，hadtakenhisjack—knifeandcutuptheraftintoalittlesquaregratingallrunningcriss—
cross，andhehadtieditfirmwithhissuspenders（_now_，youknowwhyyouwerenottoforgetthesuspenders!），andhedraggedthatgratinggoodandtightintotheWhale’sthroat，andthereitstuck!Thenherecitedthefollowing_Sloka_，which，asyouhavenotheardit，Iwillnowproceedtorelate——
BymeansofagratingIhavestoppedyourating。
FortheMarinerhewasalsoanHi—ber—ni—an。Andhesteppedoutontheshingle，andwenthometohismother，whohadgivenhimleavetotrailhistoesinthewater；andhemarriedandlivedhappilyeverafterward。SodidtheWhale。Butfromthatdayon，thegratinginhisthroat，whichhecouldneithercoughupnorswallowdown，preventedhimeatinganythingexceptvery，verysmallfish；andthatisthereasonwhywhalesnowadaysnevereatmenorboysorlittlegirls。
Thesmall’StuteFishwentandhidhimselfinthemudundertheDoor—sillsoftheEquator。HewasafraidthattheWhalemightbeangrywithhim。
TheSailortookthejack—knifehome。Hewaswearingthebluecanvasbreecheswhenhewalkedoutontheshingle。Thesuspenderswereleftbehind，yousee，totiethegratingwith；andthatistheendof_that_tale。
WHENthecabinport—holesaredarkandgreenBecauseoftheseasoutside；
Whentheshipgoes_wop_（withawigglebetween）
Andthestewardfallsintothesoup—tureen，Andthetrunksbegintoslide；
WhenNurseyliesonthefloorinaheap，AndMummytellsyoutolethersleep，Andyouaren’twakedorwashedordressed，Why，thenyouwillknow（ifyouhaven’tguessed）
You’re’FiftyNorthandFortyWest!’
HOWTHECAMELGOTHISHUMP
NOWthisisthenexttale，andittellshowtheCamelgothisbighump。
Inthebeginningofyears，whentheworldwassonewandall，andtheAnimalswerejustbeginningtoworkforMan，therewasaCamel，andhelivedinthemiddleofaHowlingDesertbecausehedidnotwanttowork；andbesides，hewasaHowlerhimself。Soheatesticksandthornsandtamarisksandmilkweedandprickles，most’scruciatingidle；andwhenanybodyspoketohimhesaid’Humph!’Just’Humph!’andnomore。
PresentlytheHorsecametohimonMondaymorning，withasaddleonhisbackandabitinhismouth，andsaid，’Camel，OCamel，comeoutandtrotliketherestofus。’
’Humph!’saidtheCamel；andtheHorsewentawayandtoldtheMan。
PresentlytheDogcametohim，withastickinhismouth，andsaid，’Camel，OCamel，comeandfetchandcarryliketherestofus。’
’Humph!’saidtheCamel；andtheDogwentawayandtoldtheMan。
PresentlytheOxcametohim，withtheyokeonhisneckandsaid，’Camel，OCamel，comeandploughliketherestofus。’
’Humph!’saidtheCamel；andtheOxwentawayandtoldtheMan。
AttheendofthedaytheMancalledtheHorseandtheDogandtheOxtogether，andsaid，’Three，OThree，I’mverysorryforyou（withtheworldsonew—and—all）；butthatHumph—thingintheDesertcan’twork，orhewouldhavebeenherebynow，soIamgoingtoleavehimalone，andyoumustworkdouble—timetomakeupforit。’
ThatmadetheThreeveryangry（withtheworldsonew—and—all），andtheyheldapalaver，andan_indaba_，anda_punchayet_，andapow—wowontheedgeoftheDesert；andtheCamelcamechewingonmilkweed_most_’scruciatingidle，andlaughedatthem。Thenhesaid’Humph!’andwentawayagain。
PresentlytherecamealongtheDjinninchargeofAllDeserts，rollinginacloudofdust（DjinnsalwaystravelthatwaybecauseitisMagic），andhestoppedtopalaverandpow—powwiththeThree。
’DjinnofAllDeserts，’saidtheHorse，’isitrightforanyonetobeidle，withtheworldsonew—and—all？’
’Certainlynot，’saidtheDjinn。
’Well，’saidtheHorse，’there’sathinginthemiddleofyourHowlingDesert（andhe’saHowlerhimself）withalongneckandlonglegs，andhehasn’tdoneastrokeofworksinceMondaymorning。Hewon’ttrot。’
’Whew!’saidtheDjinn，whistling，’that’smyCamel，forallthegoldinArabia!Whatdoeshesayaboutit？’
’Hesays\"Humph!\"’saidtheDog；’andhewon’tfetchandcarry。’
’Doeshesayanythingelse？’
’Only\"Humph!\"；andhewon’tplough，’saidtheOx。
’Verygood，’saidtheDjinn。’I’llhumphhimifyouwillkindlywaitaminute。’
TheDjinnrolledhimselfupinhisdust—cloak，andtookabearingacrossthedesert，andfoundtheCamelmost’scruciatinglyidle，lookingathisownreflectioninapoolofwater。
’Mylongandbubblingfriend，’saidtheDjinn，’what’sthisI
hearofyourdoingnowork，withtheworldsonew—and—all？’
’Humph!’saidtheCamel。
TheDjinnsatdown，withhischininhishand，andbegantothinkaGreatMagic，whiletheCamellookedathisownreflectioninthepoolofwater。
’You’vegiventheThreeextraworkeversinceMondaymorning，allonaccountofyour’scruciatingidleness，’saidtheDjinn；andhewentonthinkingMagics，withhischininhishand。
’Humph!’saidtheCamel。
’Ishouldn’tsaythatagainifIwereyou，’saidtheDjinn；youmightsayitoncetoooften。Bubbles，Iwantyoutowork。’
AndtheCamelsaid’Humph!’again；butnosoonerhadhesaiditthanhesawhisback，thathewassoproudof，puffingupandpuffingupintoagreatbiglollopinghumph。
’Doyouseethat？’saidtheDjinn。’That’syourveryownhumphthatyou’vebroughtuponyourveryownselfbynotworking。
To—dayisThursday，andyou’vedonenoworksinceMonday，whentheworkbegan。Nowyouaregoingtowork。’
’HowcanI，’saidtheCamel，’withthishumphonmyback？’
’That’smadea—purpose，’saidtheDjinn，’allbecauseyoumissedthosethreedays。Youwillbeabletoworknowforthreedayswithouteating，becauseyoucanliveonyourhumph；anddon’tyoueversayIneverdidanythingforyou。ComeoutoftheDesertandgototheThree，andbehave。Humphyourself!’
AndtheCamelhumphedhimself，humphandall，andwentawaytojointheThree。AndfromthatdaytothistheCamelalwayswearsahumph（wecallit’hump’now，nottohurthisfeelings）；buthehasneveryetcaughtupwiththethreedaysthathemissedatthebeginningoftheworld，andhehasneveryetlearnedhowtobehave。
THECamel’shumpisanuglylumpWhichwellyoumayseeattheZoo；
ButuglieryetisthehumpwegetFromhavingtoolittletodo。
Kiddiesandgrown—upstoo—oo—oo，Ifwehaven’tenoughtodo—oo—oo，Wegetthehump——
Cameelioushump——
Thehumpthatisblackandblue!
WeclimboutofbedwithafrouzlyheadAndasnarly—yarlyvoice。
WeshiverandscowlandwegruntandwegrowlAtourbathandourbootsandourtoys；
Andthereoughttobeacornerforme（AndIknowthereisoneforyou）
Whenwegetthehump——
Cameelioushump——
Thehumpthatisblackandblue!
Thecureforthisillisnottositstill，Orfrowstwithabookbythefire；
Buttotakealargehoeandashovelalso，Anddigtillyougentlyperspire；
Andthenyouwillfindthatthesunandthewind。
AndtheDjinnoftheGardentoo，Haveliftedthehump——
Thehorriblehump——
Thehumpthatisblackandblue!
Igetitaswellasyou—oo—oo——
IfIhaven’tenoughtodo—oo—oo——
Weallgethump——
Cameelioushump——
Kiddiesandgrown—upstoo!
HOWTHERHINOCEROSGOTHISSKIN
ONCEuponatime，onanuninhabitedislandontheshoresoftheRedSea，therelivedaParseefromwhosehattheraysofthesunwerereflectedinmore—than—orientalsplendour。AndtheParseelivedbytheRedSeawithnothingbuthishatandhisknifeandacooking—stoveofthekindthatyoumustparticularlynevertouch。
Andonedayhetookflourandwaterandcurrantsandplumsandsugarandthings，andmadehimselfonecakewhichwastwofeetacrossandthreefeetthick。ItwasindeedaSuperiorComestible（that’smagic），andheputitonstovebecausehewasallowedtocookonthestove，andhebakeditandhebakedittillitwasalldonebrownandsmeltmostsentimental。ButjustashewasgoingtoeatittherecamedowntothebeachfromtheAltogetherUninhabitedInterioroneRhinoceroswithahornonhisnose，twopiggyeyes，andfewmanners。InthosedaystheRhinoceros’sskinfittedhimquitetight。Therewerenowrinklesinitanywhere。
HelookedexactlylikeaNoah’sArkRhinoceros，butofcoursemuchbigger。Allthesame，hehadnomannersthen，andhehasnomannersnow，andheneverwillhaveanymanners。Hesaid，’How!’
andtheParseeleftthatcakeandclimbedtothetopofapalmtreewithnothingonbuthishat，fromwhichtheraysofthesunwerealwaysreflectedinmore—than—orientalsplendour。AndtheRhinocerosupsettheoil—stovewithhisnose，andthecakerolledonthesand，andhespikedthatcakeonthehornofhisnose，andheateit，andhewentaway，wavinghistail，tothedesolateandExclusivelyUninhabitedInteriorwhichabutsontheislandsofMazanderan，Socotra，andPromontoriesoftheLargerEquinox。
ThentheParseecamedownfromhispalm—treeandputthestoveonitslegsandrecitedthefollowingSloka，which，asyouhavenotheard，Iwillnowproceedtorelate：——
ThemthattakescakesWhichtheParsee—manbakesMakesdreadfulmistakes。
Andtherewasagreatdealmoreinthatthanyouwouldthink。
Because，fiveweekslater，therewasaheatwaveintheRedSea，andeverybodytookoffalltheclothestheyhad。TheParseetookoffhishat；buttheRhinocerostookoffhisskinandcarrieditoverhisshoulderashecamedowntothebeachtobathe。Inthosedaysitbuttonedunderneathwiththreebuttonsandlookedlikeawaterproof。HesaidnothingwhateverabouttheParsee’scake，becausehehadeatenitall；andheneverhadanymanners，then，since，orhenceforward。Hewaddledstraightintothewaterandblewbubblesthroughhisnose，leavinghisskinonthebeach。
PresentlytheParseecamebyandfoundtheskin，andhesmiledonesmilethatranallroundhisfacetwotimes。Thenhedancedthreetimesroundtheskinandrubbedhishands。Thenhewenttohiscampandfilledhishatwithcake—crumbs，fortheParseeneverateanythingbutcake，andneversweptouthiscamp。Hetookthatskin，andheshookthatskin，andhescrubbedthatskin，andherubbedthatskinjustasfullofold，dry，stale，ticklycake—crumbsandsomeburnedcurrantsaseveritcouldpossiblyhold。Thenheclimbedtothetopofhispalm—treeandwaitedfortheRhinocerostocomeoutofthewaterandputiton。
AndtheRhinocerosdid。Hebuttoneditupwiththethreebuttons，andittickledlikecakecrumbsinbed。Thenhewantedtoscratch，butthatmadeitworse；andthenhelaydownonthesandsandrolledandrolledandrolled，andeverytimeherolledthecakecrumbstickledhimworseandworseandworse。Thenherantothepalm—treeandrubbedandrubbedandrubbedhimselfagainstit。Herubbedsomuchandsohardthatherubbedhisskinintoagreatfoldoverhisshoulders，andanotherfoldunderneath，wherethebuttonsusedtobe（butherubbedthebuttonsoff），andherubbedsomemorefoldsoverhislegs。Anditspoiledhistemper，butitdidn’tmaketheleastdifferencetothecake—crumbs。Theywereinsidehisskinandtheytickled。Sohewenthome，veryangryindeedandhorriblyscratchy；andfromthatdaytothiseveryrhinoceroshasgreatfoldsinhisskinandaverybadtemper，allonaccountofthecake—crumbsinside。
ButtheParseecamedownfromhispalm—tree，wearinghishat，fromwhichtheraysofthesunwerereflectedinmore—than—orientalsplendour，packeduphiscooking—stove，andwentawayinthedirectionofOrotavo，Amygdala，theUplandMeadowsofAnantarivo，andtheMarshesofSonaput。
THISUninhabitedIslandIsoffCapeGardafui，BytheBeachesofSocotraAndthePinkArabianSea：
Butit’shot——toohotfromSuezForthelikesofyouandmeEvertogoInaP。and0。
AndcallontheCake—Parsee!
HOWTHELEOPARDGOTHISSPOTS
INthedayswheneverybodystartedfair，BestBeloved，theLeopardlivedinaplacecalledtheHighVeldt。’Memberitwasn’ttheLowVeldt，ortheBushVeldt，ortheSourVeldt，butthe’sclusivelybare，hot，shinyHighVeldt，wheretherewassandandsandy—colouredrockand’sclusivelytuftsofsandy—
yellowishgrass。TheGiraffeandtheZebraandtheElandandtheKoodooandtheHartebeestlivedthere；andtheywere’sclusivelysandy—yellow—brownishallover；buttheLeopard，hewasthe’sclusivestsandiest—yellowish—brownestofthemall——agreyish—yellowishcatty—shapedkindofbeast，andhematchedthe’sclusivelyyellowish—greyish—brownishcolouroftheHighVeldttoonehair。ThiswasverybadfortheGiraffeandtheZebraandtherestofthem；forhewouldliedownbya’sclusivelyyellowish—greyish—brownishstoneorclumpofgrass，andwhentheGiraffeortheZebraortheElandortheKoodooortheBush—BuckortheBonte—Buckcamebyhewouldsurprisethemoutoftheirjumpsomelives。Hewouldindeed!And，also，therewasanEthiopianwithbowsandarrows（a’sclusivelygreyish—brownish—yellowishmanhewasthen），wholivedontheHighVeldtwiththeLeopard；andthetwousedtohunttogether——theEthiopianwithhisbowsandarrows，andtheLeopard’sclusivelywithhisteethandclaws——tilltheGiraffeandtheElandandtheKoodooandtheQuaggaandalltherestofthemdidn’tknowwhichwaytojump，BestBeloved。Theydidn’tindeed!
Afteralongtime——thingslivedforeversolonginthosedays——theylearnedtoavoidanythingthatlookedlikeaLeopardoranEthiopian；andbitbybit——theGiraffebeganit，becausehislegswerethelongest——theywentawayfromtheHighVeldt。
Theyscuttledfordaysanddaysanddaystilltheycametoagreatforest，’sclusivelyfulloftreesandbushesandstripy，speckly，patchy—blatchyshadows，andtheretheyhid：andafteranotherlongtime，whatwithstandinghalfintheshadeandhalfoutofit，andwhatwiththeslippery—slidyshadowsofthetreesfallingonthem，theGiraffegrewblotchy，andtheZebragrewstripy，andtheElandandtheKoodoogrewdarker，withlittlewavygreylinesontheirbackslikebarkonatreetrunk；andso，thoughyoucouldhearthemandsmellthem，youcouldveryseldomseethem，andthenonlywhenyouknewpreciselywheretolook。Theyhadabeautifultimeinthe’sclusivelyspeckly—spicklyshadowsoftheforest，whiletheLeopardandtheEthiopianranaboutoverthe’sclusivelygreyish—yellowish—reddishHighVeldtoutside，wonderingwherealltheirbreakfastsandtheirdinnersandtheirteashadgone。Atlasttheyweresohungrythattheyateratsandbeetlesandrock—rabbits，theLeopardandtheEthiopian，andthentheyhadtheBigTummy—ache，bothtogether；andthentheymetBaviaan——thedog—headed，barkingBaboon，whoisQuitetheWisestAnimalinAllSouthAfrica。
SaidLeopardtoBaviaan（anditwasaveryhotday），’Wherehasallthegamegone？’
AndBaviaanwinked。Heknew。
SaidtheEthiopiantoBaviaan，’CanyoutellmethepresenthabitatoftheaboriginalFauna？’（Thatmeantjustthesamething，buttheEthiopianalwaysusedlongwords。Hewasagrown—up。）
AndBaviaanwinked。Heknew。
ThensaidBaviaan，’Thegamehasgoneintootherspots；andmyadvicetoyou，Leopard，istogointootherspotsassoonasyoucan。’
AndtheEthiopiansaid，’Thatisallveryfine，butIwishtoknowwhithertheaboriginalFaunahasmigrated。’
ThensaidBaviaan，’TheaboriginalFaunahasjoinedtheaboriginalFlorabecauseitwashightimeforachange；andmyadvicetoyou，Ethiopian，istochangeassoonasyoucan。’
ThatpuzzledtheLeopardandtheEthiopian，buttheysetofftolookfortheaboriginalFlora，andpresently，aftereversomanydays，theysawagreat，high，tallforestfulloftreetrunksall’sclusivelyspeckledandsprottledandspottled，dottedandsplashedandslashedandhatchedandcross—hatchedwithshadows。
（Saythatquicklyaloud，andyouwillseehowveryshadowytheforestmusthavebeen。）
’Whatisthis，’saidtheLeopard，’thatisso’sclusivelydark，andyetsofulloflittlepiecesoflight？’
’Idon’tknow，saidtheEthiopian，’butitoughttobetheaboriginalFlora。IcansmellGiraffe，andIcanhearGiraffe，butIcan’tseeGiraffe。’
’That’scurious，’saidtheLeopard。’Isupposeitisbecausewehavejustcomeinoutofthesunshine。IcansmellZebra，andIcanhearZebra，butIcan’tseeZebra。’
’Waitabit，saidtheEthiopian。’It’salongtimesincewe’vehunted’em。Perhapswe’veforgottenwhattheywerelike。’
’Fiddle!’saidtheLeopard。’IrememberthemperfectlyontheHighVeldt，especiallytheirmarrow—bones。Giraffeisaboutseventeenfeethigh，ofa’sclusivelyfulvousgolden—yellowfromheadtoheel；andZebraisaboutfourandahalffeethigh，ofa’sclusivelygrey—fawncolourfromheadtoheel。’
’Umm，saidtheEthiopian，lookingintothespeckly—spicklyshadowsoftheaboriginalFlora—forest。’Thentheyoughttoshowupinthisdarkplacelikeripebananasinasmokehouse。’
Buttheydidn’t。TheLeopardandtheEthiopianhuntedallday；
andthoughtheycouldsmellthemandhearthem，theyneversawoneofthem。
’Forgoodness’sake，’saidtheLeopardattea—time，’letuswaittillitgetsdark。Thisdaylighthuntingisaperfectscandal。’
Sotheywaitedtilldark，andthentheLeopardheardsomethingbreathingsniffilyinthestarlightthatfellallstripythroughthebranches，andhejumpedatthenoise，anditsmeltlikeZebra，anditfeltlikeZebra，andwhenheknockeditdownitkickedlikeZebra，buthecouldn’tseeit。Sohesaid，’Bequiet，Oyoupersonwithoutanyform。Iamgoingtositonyourheadtillmorning，becausethereissomethingaboutyouthatI
don’tunderstand。’
Presentlyheheardagruntandacrashandascramble，andtheEthiopiancalledout，’I’vecaughtathingthatIcan’tsee。ItsmellslikeGiraffe，anditkickslikeGiraffe，butithasn’tanyform。’
’Don’tyoutrustit，’saidtheLeopard。’Sitonitsheadtillthemorning——sameasme。Theyhaven’tanyform——anyof’em。’
Sotheysatdownonthemhardtillbrightmorning—time，andthenLeopardsaid，’Whathaveyouatyourendofthetable，Brother？’
TheEthiopianscratchedhisheadandsaid，’Itoughttobe’sclusivelyarichfulvousorange—tawnyfromheadtoheel，anditoughttobeGiraffe；butitiscoveredalloverwithchestnutblotches。Whathaveyouatyourendofthetable，Brother？’
AndtheLeopardscratchedhisheadandsaid，’Itoughttobe’sclusivelyadelicategreyish—fawn，anditoughttobeZebra；
butitiscoveredalloverwithblackandpurplestripes。Whatintheworldhaveyoubeendoingtoyourself，Zebra？Don’tyouknowthatifyouwereontheHighVeldtIcouldseeyoutenmilesoff？
Youhaven’tanyform。’
’Yes，’saidtheZebra，’butthisisn’ttheHighVeldt。Can’tyousee？’
’Icannow，’saidtheLeopard。’ButIcouldn’tallyesterday。Howisitdone？’
’Letusup，’saidtheZebra，’andwewillshowyou。
TheylettheZebraandtheGiraffegetup；andZebramovedawaytosomelittlethorn—busheswherethesunlightfellallstripy，andGiraffemovedofftosometallishtreeswheretheshadowsfellallblotchy。
’Nowwatch，’saidtheZebraandtheGiraffe。’Thisisthewayit’sdone。One——two——three!Andwhere’syourbreakfast？’
Leopardstared，andEthiopianstared，butalltheycouldseewerestripyshadowsandblotchedshadowsintheforest，butneverasignofZebraandGiraffe。Theyhadjustwalkedoffandhiddenthemselvesintheshadowyforest。
’Hi!Hi!’saidtheEthiopian。’That’satrickworthlearning。
Takealessonbyit，Leopard。Youshowupinthisdarkplacelikeabarofsoapinacoal—scuttle。’
’Ho!Ho!’saidtheLeopard。’Woulditsurpriseyouverymuchtoknowthatyoushowupinthisdarkplacelikeamustard—plasteronasackofcoals？’
’Well，callingnameswon’tcatchdinner，saidtheEthiopian。
’Thelongandthelittleofitisthatwedon’tmatchourbackgrounds。I’mgoingtotakeBaviaan’sadvice。HetoldmeIoughttochange；andasI’venothingtochangeexceptmyskinI’mgoingtochangethat。’
’Whatto？’saidtheLeopard，tremendouslyexcited。
’Toaniceworkingblackish—brownishcolour，withalittlepurpleinit，andtouchesofslaty—blue。Itwillbetheverythingforhidinginhollowsandbehindtrees。’
Sohechangedhisskinthenandthere，andtheLeopardwasmoreexcitedthanever；hehadneverseenamanchangehisskinbefore。
’Butwhataboutme？’hesaid，whentheEthiopianhadworkedhislastlittlefingerintohisfinenewblackskin。
’YoutakeBaviaan’sadvicetoo。Hetoldyoutogointospots。’
’SoIdid，’saidtheLeopard。IwentintootherspotsasfastasIcould。Iwentintothisspotwithyou，andalotofgoodithasdoneme。’
’Oh，’saidtheEthiopian，’Baviaandidn’tmeanspotsinSouthAfrica。Hemeantspotsonyourskin。’
’What’stheuseofthat？’saidtheLeopard。
’ThinkofGiraffe，’saidtheEthiopian。’Orifyoupreferstripes，thinkofZebra。Theyfindtheirspotsandstripesgivethemper—feetsatisfaction。’
’Umm，’saidtheLeopard。’Iwouldn’tlooklikeZebra——notforeverso。’
’Well，makeupyourmind，’saidtheEthiopian，’becauseI’dhatetogohuntingwithoutyou，butImustifyouinsistonlookinglikeasun—floweragainstatarredfence。’
’I’lltakespots，then，’saidtheLeopard；’butdon’tmake’emtoovulgar—big。Iwouldn’tlooklikeGiraffe——notforeverso。’
’I’llmake’emwiththetipsofmyfingers，’saidtheEthiopian。
’There’splentyofblackleftonmyskinstill。Standover!’
ThentheEthiopianputhisfivefingersclosetogether（therewasplentyofblackleftonhisnewskinstill）andpressedthemallovertheLeopard，andwhereverthefivefingerstouchedtheyleftfivelittleblackmarks，allclosetogether。YoucanseethemonanyLeopard’sskinyoulike，BestBeloved。Sometimesthefingersslippedandthemarksgotalittleblurred；butifyoulookcloselyatanyLeopardnowyouwillseethattherearealwaysfivespots——offfivefatblackfinger—tips。
’Nowyouareabeauty!’saidtheEthiopian。’Youcanlieoutonthebaregroundandlooklikeaheapofpebbles。Youcanlieoutonthenakedrocksandlooklikeapieceofpudding—stone。Youcanlieoutonaleafybranchandlooklikesunshinesiftingthroughtheleaves；andyoucanlierightacrossthecentreofapathandlooklikenothinginparticular。Thinkofthatandpurr!’
’ButifI’mallthis，’saidtheLeopard，’whydidn’tyougospottytoo？’
’Oh，plainblack’sbestforanigger，’saidtheEthiopian。’Nowcomealongandwe’llseeifwecan’tgetevenwithMr。One—Two—
Three—Where’s—your—Breakfast!’
Sotheywentawayandlivedhappilyeverafterward，BestBeloved。
Thatisall。
Oh，nowandthenyouwillheargrown—upssay，’CantheEthiopianchangehisskinortheLeopardhisspots？’Idon’tthinkevengrown—upswouldkeeponsayingsuchasillythingiftheLeopardandtheEthiopianhadn’tdoneitonce——doyou？Buttheywillneverdoitagain，BestBeloved。Theyarequitecontentedastheyare。
IAMtheMostWiseBaviaan，sayinginmostwisetones，’Letusmeltintothelandscape——justustwobyourlones。’
Peoplehavecome——inacarriage——calling。ButMummyisthere……
Yes，Icangoifyoutakeme——Nursesaysshedon’tcare。
Let’sgouptothepig—stiesandsitonthefarmyardrails!
Let’ssaythingstothebunnies，andwatch’emskittertheirtails!
Let’s——oh，anything，daddy，solongasit’syouandme，Andgoingtrulyexploring，andnotbeingintilltea!
Here’syourboots（I’vebrought’em），andhere’syourcapandstick，Andhere’syourpipeandtobacco。Oh，comealongoutofit——quick。
THEELEPHANT’SCHILD
INtheHighandFar—OffTimestheElephant，OBestBeloved，hadnotrunk。Hehadonlyablackish，bulgynose，asbigasaboot，thathecouldwriggleaboutfromsidetoside；buthecouldn’tpickupthingswithit。ButtherewasoneElephant——anewElephant——anElephant’sChild——whowasfullof’satiablecurtiosity，andthatmeansheaskedeversomanyquestions。AndhelivedinAfrica，andhefilledallAfricawithhis’satiablecurtiosities。Heaskedhistallaunt，theOstrich，whyhertail—feathersgrewjustso，andhistallaunttheOstrichspankedhimwithherhard，hardclaw。Heaskedhistalluncle，theGiraffe，whatmadehisskinspotty，andhistalluncle，theGiraffe，spankedhimwithhishard，hardhoof。Andstillhewasfullof’satiablecurtiosity!Heaskedhisbroadaunt，theHippopotamus，whyhereyeswerered，andhisbroadaunt，theHippopotamus，spankedhimwithherbroad，broadhoof；andheaskedhishairyuncle，theBaboon，whymelonstastedjustso，andhishairyuncle，theBaboon，spankedhimwithhishairy，hairypaw。Andstillhewasfullof’satiablecurtiosity!
Heaskedquestionsabouteverythingthathesaw，orheard，orfelt，orsmelt，ortouched，andallhisunclesandhisauntsspankedhim。Andstillhewasfullof’satiablecurtiosity!
OnefinemorninginthemiddleofthePrecessionoftheEquinoxesthis’satiableElephant’sChildaskedanewfinequestionthathehadneveraskedbefore。Heasked，’WhatdoestheCrocodilehavefordinner？’Theneverybodysaid，’Hush!’inaloudanddretfultone，andtheyspankedhimimmediatelyanddirectly，withoutstopping，foralongtime。
Byandby，whenthatwasfinished，hecameuponKolokoloBirdsittinginthemiddleofawait—a—bitthorn—bush，andhesaid，’Myfatherhasspankedme，andmymotherhasspankedme；allmyauntsanduncleshavespankedmeformy’satiablecurtiosity；andstillIwanttoknowwhattheCrocodilehasfordinner!’
ThenKolokoloBirdsaid，withamournfulcry，’Gotothebanksofthegreatgrey—green，greasyLimpopoRiver，allsetaboutwithfever—trees，andfindout。’
Thatverynextmorning，whentherewasnothingleftoftheEquinoxes，becausethePrecessionhadprecededaccordingtoprecedent，this’satiableElephant’sChildtookahundredpoundsofbananas（thelittleshortredkind），andahundredpoundsofsugar—cane（thelongpurplekind），andseventeenmelons（thegreeny—cracklykind），andsaidtoallhisdearfamilies，’Goodbye。Iamgoingtothegreatgrey—green，greasyLimpopoRiver，allsetaboutwithfever—trees，tofindoutwhattheCrocodilehasfordinner。’Andtheyallspankedhimoncemoreforluck，thoughheaskedthemmostpolitelytostop。
Thenhewentaway，alittlewarm，butnotatallastonished，eatingmelons，andthrowingtherindabout，becausehecouldnotpickitup。
HewentfromGraham’sTowntoKimberley，andfromKimberleytoKhama’sCountry，andfromKhama’sCountryhewenteastbynorth，eatingmelonsallthetime，tillatlasthecametothebanksofthegreatgrey—green，greasyLimpopoRiver，allsetaboutwithfever—trees，preciselyasKolokoloBirdhadsaid。
Nowyoumustknowandunderstand，OBestBeloved，thattillthatveryweek，andday，andhour，andminute，this’satiableElephant’sChildhadneverseenaCrocodile，anddidnotknowwhatonewaslike。Itwasallhis’satiablecurtiosity。
ThefirstthingthathefoundwasaBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snakecurledroundarock。
’’Scuseme，’saidtheElephant’sChildmostpolitely，’buthaveyouseensuchathingasaCrocodileinthesepromiscuousparts？’
’HaveIseenaCrocodile？’saidtheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake，inavoiceofdretfulscorn。’Whatwillyouaskmenext？’
’’Scuseme，’saidtheElephant’sChild，’butcouldyoukindlytellmewhathehasfordinner？’
ThentheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snakeuncoiledhimselfveryquicklyfromtherock，andspankedtheElephant’sChildwithhisscalesome，flailsometail。
’Thatisodd，’saidtheElephant’sChild，’becausemyfatherandmymother，andmyuncleandmyaunt，nottomentionmyotheraunt，theHippopotamus，andmyotheruncle，theBaboon，haveallspankedmeformy’satiablecurtiosity——andIsupposethisisthesamething。
Sohesaidgood—byeverypolitelytotheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake，andhelpedtocoilhimupontherockagain，andwenton，alittlewarm，butnotatallastonished，eatingmelons，andthrowingtherindabout，becausehecouldnotpickitup，tillhetrodonwhathethoughtwasalogofwoodattheveryedgeofthegreatgrey—green，greasyLimpopoRiver，allsetaboutwithfever—trees。
ButitwasreallytheCrocodile，OBestBeloved，andtheCrocodilewinkedoneeye——likethis!
’’Scuseme，’saidtheElephant’sChildmostpolitely，’butdoyouhappentohaveseenaCrocodileinthesepromiscuousparts？’
ThentheCrocodilewinkedtheothereye，andliftedhalfhistailoutofthemud；andtheElephant’sChildsteppedbackmostpolitely，becausehedidnotwishtobespankedagain。
’Comehither，LittleOne，’saidtheCrocodile。’Whydoyouasksuchthings？’
’’Scuseme，’saidtheElephant’sChildmostpolitely，’butmyfatherhasspankedme，mymotherhasspankedme，nottomentionmytallaunt，theOstrich，andmytalluncle，theGiraffe，whocankickeversohard，aswellasmybroadaunt，theHippopotamus，andmyhairyuncle，theBaboon，andincludingtheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake，withthescalesome，flailsometail，justupthebank，whospanksharderthananyofthem；andso，ifit’squiteallthesametoyou，Idon’twanttobespankedanymore。’
’Comehither，LittleOne，’saidtheCrocodile，’forIamtheCrocodile，’andheweptcrocodile—tearstoshowitwasquitetrue。
ThentheElephant’sChildgrewallbreathless，andpanted，andkneeleddownonthebankandsaid，’YouaretheverypersonI
havebeenlookingforalltheselongdays。Willyoupleasetellmewhatyouhavefordinner？’
’Comehither，LittleOne，’saidtheCrocodile，’andI’llwhisper。’
ThentheElephant’sChildputhisheaddownclosetotheCrocodile’smusky，tuskymouth，andtheCrocodilecaughthimbyhislittlenose，whichuptothatveryweek，day，hour，andminute，hadbeennobiggerthanaboot，thoughmuchmoreuseful。
’Ithink，saidtheCrocodile——andhesaiditbetweenhisteeth，likethis——’Ithinkto—dayIwillbeginwithElephant’sChild!’
Atthis，OBestBeloved，theElephant’sChildwasmuchannoyed，andhesaid，speakingthroughhisnose，likethis，’Ledgo!Youarehurtigbe!’
ThentheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snakescuffleddownfromthebankandsaid，’Myyoungfriend，ifyoudonotnow，immediatelyandinstantly，pullashardaseveryoucan，itismyopinionthatyouracquaintanceinthelarge—patternleatherulster’（andbythishemeanttheCrocodile）’willjerkyouintoyonderlimpidstreambeforeyoucansayJackRobinson。’
ThisisthewayBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snakesalwaystalk。
ThentheElephant’sChildsatbackonhislittlehaunches，andpulled，andpulled，andpulled，andhisnosebegantostretch。
AndtheCrocodileflounderedintothewater，makingitallcreamywithgreatsweepsofhistail，andhepulled，andpulled，andpulled。
AndtheElephant’sChild’snosekeptonstretching；andtheElephant’sChildspreadallhislittlefourlegsandpulled，andpulled，andpulled，andhisnosekeptonstretching；andtheCrocodilethreshedhistaillikeanoar，andhepulled，andpulled，andpulled，andateachpulltheElephant’sChild’snosegrewlongerandlonger——andithurthimhijjus!
ThentheElephant’sChildfelthislegsslipping，andhesaidthroughhisnose，whichwasnownearlyfivefeetlong，’Thisistoobutchforbe!’
ThentheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snakecamedownfromthebank，andknottedhimselfinadouble—clove—hitchroundtheElephant’sChild’shindlegs，andsaid，’Rashandinexperiencedtraveller，wewillnowseriouslydevoteourselvestoalittlehightension，becauseifwedonot，itismyimpressionthatyonderself—propellingman—of—warwiththearmour—platedupperdeck’
（andbythis，OBestBeloved，hemeanttheCrocodile），’willpermanentlyvitiateyourfuturecareer。
ThatisthewayallBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snakesalwaystalk。
Sohepulled，andtheElephant’sChildpulled，andtheCrocodilepulled；buttheElephant’sChildandtheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snakepulledhardest；andatlasttheCrocodileletgooftheElephant’sChild’snosewithaplopthatyoucouldhearallupanddowntheLimpopo。
ThentheElephant’sChildsatdownmosthardandsudden；butfirsthewascarefultosay’Thankyou’totheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake；andnexthewaskindtohispoorpullednose，andwrappeditallupincoolbananaleaves，andhungitinthegreatgrey—green，greasyLimpopotocool。
’Whatareyoudoingthatfor？’saidtheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake。
’’Scuseme，’saidtheElephant’sChild，’butmynoseisbadlyoutofshape，andIamwaitingforittoshrink。
’Thenyouwillhavetowaitalongtime，saidtheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake。’Somepeopledonotknowwhatisgoodforthem。’
TheElephant’sChildsatthereforthreedayswaitingforhisnosetoshrink。Butitnevergrewanyshorter，and，besides，itmadehimsquint。For，OBestBeloved，youwillseeandunderstandthattheCrocodilehadpulleditoutintoareallytrulytrunksameasallElephantshaveto—day。
Attheendofthethirddayaflycameandstunghimontheshoulder，andbeforeheknewwhathewasdoinghelifteduphistrunkandhitthatflydeadwiththeendofit。
’’Vantagenumberone!’saidtheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake。
’Youcouldn’thavedonethatwithamere—smearnose。Tryandeatalittlenow。’
BeforehethoughtwhathewasdoingtheElephant’sChildputouthistrunkandpluckedalargebundleofgrass，dusteditcleanagainsthisfore—legs，andstuffeditintohisownmouth。
’Vantagenumbertwo!’saidtheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake。
’Youcouldn’thavedonethatwithamear—smearnose。Don’tyouthinkthesunisveryhothere？’
’Itis，’saidtheElephant’sChild，andbeforehethoughtwhathewasdoingheschloopedupaschloopofmudfromthebanksofthegreatgrey—green，greasyLimpopo，andslappeditonhishead，whereitmadeacoolschloopy—sloshymud—capalltricklybehindhisears。
’Vantagenumberthree!’saidtheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake。
’Youcouldn’thavedonethatwithamere—smearnose。Nowhowdoyoufeelaboutbeingspankedagain？’
’’Scuseme，’saidtheElephant’sChild，’butIshouldnotlikeitatall。’
’Howwouldyouliketospanksomebody？’saidtheBi—
Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake。
’Ishouldlikeitverymuchindeed，’saidtheElephant’sChild。
’Well，’saidtheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snake，’youwillfindthatnewnoseofyoursveryusefultospankpeoplewith。’
’Thankyou，’saidtheElephant’sChild，’I’llrememberthat；andnowIthinkI’llgohometoallmydearfamiliesandtry。’
SotheElephant’sChildwenthomeacrossAfricafriskingandwhiskinghistrunk。Whenhewantedfruittoeathepulledfruitdownfromatree，insteadofwaitingforittofallasheusedtodo。Whenhewantedgrasshepluckedgrassupfromtheground，insteadofgoingonhiskneesasheusedtodo。Whenthefliesbithimhebrokeoffthebranchofatreeanduseditasfly—whisk；andhemadehimselfanew，cool，slushy—squshymud—capwheneverthesunwashot。WhenhefeltlonelywalkingthroughAfricahesangtohimselfdownhistrunk，andthenoisewaslouderthanseveralbrassbands。
HewentespeciallyoutofhiswaytofindabroadHippopotamus（shewasnorelationofhis），andhespankedherveryhard，tomakesurethattheBi—Coloured—Python—Rock—Snakehadspokenthetruthabouthisnewtrunk。TherestofthetimehepickedupthemelonrindsthathehaddroppedonhiswaytotheLimpopo——forhewasaTidyPachyderm。
Onedarkeveninghecamebacktoallhisdearfamilies，andhecoileduphistrunkandsaid，’Howdoyoudo？’Theywereverygladtoseehim，andimmediatelysaid，’Comehereandbespankedforyour’satiablecurtiosity。’
’Pooh，’saidtheElephant’sChild。’Idon’tthinkyoupeoplesknowanythingaboutspanking；butIdo，andI’llshowyou。’Thenheuncurledhistrunkandknockedtwoofhisdearbrothersheadoverheels。
’OBananas!’saidthey，’wheredidyoulearnthattrick，andwhathaveyoudonetoyournose？’
’IgotanewonefromtheCrocodileonthebanksofthegreatgrey—green，greasyLimpopoRiver，’saidtheElephant’sChild。’I
askedhimwhathehadfordinner，andhegavemethistokeep。’
’Itlooksveryugly，’saidhishairyuncle，theBaboon。
’Itdoes，’saidtheElephant’sChild。’Butit’sveryuseful，’andhepickeduphishairyuncle，theBaboon，byonehairyleg，andhovehimintoahornet’snest。
ThenthatbadElephant’sChildspankedallhisdearfamiliesforalongtime，tilltheywereverywarmandgreatlyastonished。HepulledouthistallOstrichaunt’stail—feathers；andhecaughthistalluncle，theGiraffe，bythehind—leg，anddraggedhimthroughathorn—bush；andheshoutedathisbroadaunt，theHippopotamus，andblewbubblesintoherearwhenshewassleepinginthewateraftermeals；butheneverletanyonetouchKolokoloBird。
Atlastthingsgrewsoexcitingthathisdearfamilieswentoffonebyoneinahurrytothebanksofthegreatgrey—green，greasyLimpopoRiver，allsetaboutwithfever—trees，toborrownewnosesfromtheCrocodile。Whentheycamebacknobodyspankedanybodyanymore；andeversincethatday，OBestBeloved，alltheElephantsyouwilleversee，besidesallthosethatyouwon’t，havetrunkspreciselylikethetrunkofthe’satiableElephant’sChild。
IKeepsixhonestserving—men：
（TheytaughtmeallIknew）
TheirnamesareWhatandWhereandWhenAndHowandWhyandWho。
Isendthemoverlandandsea，Isendthemeastandwest；
Butaftertheyhaveworkedforme，Igivethemallarest。
Iletthemrestfromninetillfive。
ForIambusythen，Aswellasbreakfast，lunch，andtea，Fortheyarehungrymen：
Butdifferentfolkhavedifferentviews：
Iknowapersonsmall——
Shekeepstenmillionserving—men，Whogetnorestatall!
Shesends’emabroadonherownaffairs，Fromthesecondsheopenshereyes——
OnemillionHows，twomillionWheres，AndsevenmillionWhys!
THESING—SONGOFOLDMANKANGAROO
NOTalwayswastheKangarooasnowwedobeholdhim，butaDifferentAnimalwithfourshortlegs。Hewasgreyandhewaswoolly，andhispridewasinordinate：hedancedonanoutcropinthemiddleofAustralia，andhewenttotheLittleGodNqa。
HewenttoNqaatsixbeforebreakfast，saying，’Makemedifferentfromallotheranimalsbyfivethisafternoon。’
UpjumpedNqafromhisseatonthesandflatandshouted，’Goaway!’
Hewasgreyandhewaswoolly，andhispridewasinordinate：hedancedonarock—ledgeinthemiddleofAustralia，andhewenttotheMiddleGodNquing。
HewenttoNquingateightafterbreakfast，saying，’Makemedifferentfromallotheranimals；makeme，also，wonderfullypopularbyfivethisafternoon。’
UpjumpedNquingfromhisburrowinthespinifexandshouted，’Goaway!’
Hewasgreyandhewaswoolly，andhispridewasinordinate：hedancedonasandbankinthemiddleofAustralia，andhewenttotheBigGodNqong。
HewenttoNqongattenbeforedinner—time，saying，’Makemedifferentfromallotheranimals；makemepopularandwonderfullyrunafterbyfivethisafternoon。’
UpjumpedNqongfromhisbathinthesalt—panandshouted，’Yes，Iwill!’
NqongcalledDingo——Yellow—DogDingo——alwayshungry，dustyinthesunshine，andshowedhimKangaroo。Nqongsaid，’Dingo!Wakeup，Dingo!Doyouseethatgentlemandancingonanashpit？Hewantstobepopularandverytrulyrunafter。Dingo，makehimSO!’
UpjumpedDingo——Yellow—DogDingo——andsaid，’What，thatcat—rabbit？’
OffranDingo——Yellow—DogDingo——alwayshungry，grinninglikeacoal—scuttle，——ranafterKangaroo。
OffwenttheproudKangarooonhisfourlittlelegslikeabunny。
This，OBelovedofmine，endsthefirstpartofthetale!
Heranthroughthedesert；heranthroughthemountains；heranthroughthesalt—pans；heranthroughthereed—beds；heranthroughthebluegums；heranthroughthespinifex；herantillhisfrontlegsached。
Hehadto!
StillranDingo——Yellow—DogDingo——alwayshungry，grinninglikearat—trap，nevergettingnearer，nevergettingfarther，——ranafterKangaroo。
Hehadto!
StillranKangaroo——OldManKangaroo。Heranthroughtheti—trees；heranthroughthemulga；heranthroughthelonggrass；heranthroughtheshortgrass；heranthroughtheTropicsofCapricornandCancer；herantillhishindlegsached。
Hehadto!
StillranDingo——Yellow—DogDingo——hungrierandhungrier，grinninglikeahorse—collar，nevergettingnearer，nevergettingfarther；andtheycametotheWollgongRiver。
Now，therewasn’tanybridge，andtherewasn’tanyferry—boat，andKangaroodidn’tknowhowtogetover；sohestoodonhislegsandhopped。
Hehadto!
HehoppedthroughtheFlinders；hehoppedthroughtheCinders；hehoppedthroughthedesertsinthemiddleofAustralia。HehoppedlikeaKangaroo。
Firsthehoppedoneyard；thenhehoppedthreeyards；thenhehoppedfiveyards；hislegsgrowingstronger；hislegsgrowinglonger。Hehadn’tanytimeforrestorrefreshment，andhewantedthemverymuch。
StillranDingo——Yellow—DogDingo——verymuchbewildered，verymuchhungry，andwonderingwhatintheworldoroutofitmadeOldManKangaroohop。
Forhehoppedlikeacricket；likeapeainasaucepan；oranewrubberballonanurseryfloor。
Hehadto!
Hetuckeduphisfrontlegs；hehoppedonhishindlegs；hestuckouthistailforabalance—weightbehindhim；andhehoppedthroughtheDarlingDowns。
Hehadto!
StillranDingo——Tired—DogDingo——hungrierandhungrier，verymuchbewildered，andwonderingwhenintheworldoroutofitwouldOldManKangaroostop。
ThencameNqongfromhisbathinthesalt—pans，andsaid，’It’sfiveo’clock。’
DownsatDingo——PoorDogDingo——alwayshungry，duskyinthesunshine；hungouthistongueandhowled。
DownsatKangaroo——OldManKangaroo——stuckouthistaillikeamilking—stoolbehindhim，andsaid，’Thankgoodnessthat’sfinished!’
ThensaidNqong，whoisalwaysagentleman，’Whyaren’tyougratefultoYellow—DogDingo？Whydon’tyouthankhimforallhehasdoneforyou？’
ThensaidKangaroo——TiredOldKangaroo——He’schasedmeoutofthehomesofmychildhood；he’schasedmeoutofmyregularmeal—times；he’salteredmyshapesoI’llnevergetitback；andhe’splayedOldScratchwithmylegs。’
ThensaidNqong，’PerhapsI’mmistaken，butdidn’tyouaskmetomakeyoudifferentfromallotheranimals，aswellastomakeyouverytrulysoughtafter？Andnowitisfiveo’clock。’
’Yes，’saidKangaroo。’IwishthatIhadn’t。Ithoughtyouwoulddoitbycharmsandincantations，butthisisapracticaljoke。’
’Joke!’saidNqongfromhisbathinthebluegums。’SaythatagainandI’llwhistleupDingoandrunyourhindlegsoff。’
’No，’saidtheKangaroo。’Imustapologise。Legsarelegs，andyouneedn’talter’emsofarasIamconcerned。IonlymeanttoexplaintoYourLordlinessthatI’vehadnothingtoeatsincemorning，andI’mveryemptyindeed。’
’Yes，’saidDingo——Yellow—DogDingo，——’Iamjustinthesamesituation。I’vemadehimdifferentfromallotheranimals；
butwhatmayIhaveformytea？’
ThensaidNqongfromhisbathinthesalt—pan，’Comeandaskmeaboutittomorrow，becauseI’mgoingtowash。’
SotheywereleftinthemiddleofAustralia，OldManKangarooandYellow—DogDingo，andeachsaid，’That’syourfault。’
THISisthemouth—fillingsongOftheracethatwasrunbyaBoomer，Runinasingleburst——onlyeventofitskind——
StartedbybigGodNqongfromWarrigaborrigarooma，OldManKangaroofirst：Yellow—DogDingobehind。
Kangarooboundedaway，Hisback—legsworkinglikepistons——
Boundedfrommorningtilldark，Twenty—fivefeettoabound。
Yellow—DogDingolayLikeayellowcloudinthedistance——
Muchtoobusytobark。
My!buttheycoveredtheground!
Nobodyknowswheretheywent，Orfollowedthetrackthattheyflewin，ForthatContinentHadn’tbeengivenaname。
Theyranthirtydegrees，FromTorresStraitstotheLeeuwin（LookattheAtlas，please），Andtheyranbackastheycame。
S’posingyoucouldtrotFromAdelaidetothePacific，Foranafternoon’srunHalfwhatthesegentlemendidYouwouldfeelratherhot，Butyourlegswoulddevelopterrific——
Yes，myimportunateson，You’dbeaMarvellousKid!
THEBEGINNINGOFTHEARMADILLOS
THIS，OBestBeloved，isanotherstoryoftheHighandFar—OffTimes。IntheverymiddleofthosetimeswasaStickly—
PricklyHedgehog，andhelivedonthebanksoftheturbidAmazon，eatingshellysnailsandthings。Andhehadafriend，aSlow—
SolidTortoise，wholivedonthebanksoftheturbidAmazon，eatinggreenlettucesandthings。Andsothatwasallright，BestBeloved。Doyousee？
Butalso，andatthesametime，inthoseHighandFar—OffTimes，therewasaPaintedJaguar，andhelivedonthebanksoftheturbidAmazontoo；andheateeverythingthathecouldcatch。
Whenhecouldnotcatchdeerormonkeyshewouldeatfrogsandbeetles；andwhenhecouldnotcatchfrogsandbeetleshewenttohisMotherJaguar，andshetoldhimhowtoeathedgehogsandtortoises。
Shesaidtohimeversomanytimes，graciouslywavinghertail，’Myson，whenyoufindaHedgehogyoumustdrophimintothewaterandthenhewilluncoil，andwhenyoucatchaTortoiseyoumustscoophimoutofhisshellwithyourpaw。’Andsothatwasallright，BestBeloved。
OnebeautifulnightonthebanksoftheturbidAmazon，PaintedJaguarfoundStickly—PricklyHedgehogandSlow—SolidTortoisesittingunderthetrunkofafallentree。Theycouldnotrunaway，andsoStickly—Pricklycurledhimselfupintoaball，becausehewasaHedgehog，andSlow—SolidTortoisedrewinhisheadandfeetintohisshellasfarastheywouldgo，becausehewasaTortoise；andsothatwasallright，BestBeloved。Doyousee？
’Nowattendtome，’saidPaintedJaguar，’becausethisisveryimportant。MymothersaidthatwhenImeetaHedgehogIamtodrophimintothewaterandthenhewilluncoil，andwhenImeetaTortoiseIamtoscoophimoutofhisshellwithmypaw。NowwhichofyouisHedgehogandwhichisTortoise？because，tosavemyspots，Ican’ttell。’
’AreyousureofwhatyourMummytoldyou？’saidStickly—PricklyHedgehog。’Areyouquitesure？PerhapsshesaidthatwhenyouuncoilaTortoiseyoumustshellhimoutthewaterwithascoop，andwhenyoupawaHedgehogyoumustdrophimontheshell。’
’AreyousureofwhatyourMummytoldyou？’saidSlow—and—SolidTortoise。’Areyouquitesure？PerhapsshesaidthatwhenyouwateraHedgehogyoumustdrophimintoyourpaw，andwhenyoumeetaTortoiseyoumustshellhimtillheuncoils。’
’Idon’tthinkitwasatalllikethat，’saidPaintedJaguar，buthefeltalittlepuzzled；’but，please，sayitagainmoredistinctly。’
’WhenyouscoopwaterwithyourpawyouuncoilitwithaHedgehog，’saidStickly—Prickly。’Rememberthat，becauseit’simportant。’