How the Camel Got his Hump
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 · 1,805 words
First lines
Now this is the next tale, and it tells how the Camel got his big hump.
In the beginning of years, when the world was so new and all, and the Animals were just beginning to work for Man, there was a Camel, and he lived in the middle of a Howling Desert because he did not want to work; and besides, he was a Howler himself. So he ate sticks and thorns and tamarisks and milkweed and prickles, most 'scruciating idle; and when anybody spoke to him he said "Humph! " Just "Humph! " and no more.
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How the Camel Got his Hump is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1935 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1935 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Fable, Adventure, Humor
- Length: 1,805 words
- Structure: 1 section, 35 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for How the Camel Got his Hump by Rudyard Kipling
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Children's Literature — The story is aimed at children, featuring simple language, moral lessons, and whimsical characters.
- Fantasy — The presence of a Djinn and magical elements creates a fantastical setting and plot.
- Fable — The narrative conveys a moral lesson about the consequences of laziness and the importance of work.
- Adventure — The Camel's journey and interactions with other animals and the Djinn depict elements of adventure.
Tags
Fable · Moral · Animal Story · Fantasy · Satire · Humor · Teaching Tool · Children's Literature · Short Story · Tale · Mythological · Symbolism