In a time when the world was new, a lazy Camel lived in a desert, refusing to work while other animals toiled for Man. The Camel's only response to their requests was a dismissive "Humph!" This idleness frustrated the Horse, Dog, and Ox, who reported him to Man. Consequently, the three animals were burdened with extra work, which angered them further. The Djinn, responsible for the deserts, learned of the Camel's laziness and decided to confront him. Upon finding the Camel idly admiring his reflection, the Djinn questioned his lack of work. The Camel repeated his "Humph!" and, as a result, the Djinn cast a spell that caused a large hump to form on the Camel's back. This hump was a consequence of his idleness, designed to enable him to work without needing food for three days. The Djinn instructed the Camel to join the other animals and fulfill his responsibilities. From that day forward, the Camel bore his hump as a reminder of his laziness and the work he had missed. The story concludes with a moral about the consequences of idleness, suggesting that both children and adults can become irritable when they lack sufficient activity. The narrative emphasizes the importance of work and the negative effects of laziness, encapsulated in the metaphor of the "Cameelious hump."
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1935 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Fable