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。’