
JUST SO STORIES
By Rudyard Kipling
HOW THE WHALE GOT HIS THROAT
HOW THE CAMEL GOT HIS HUMP - NOW this is the next tale, and it tells how the Camel got his big hump.
HOW THE RHINOCEROS GOT HIS SKIN
HOW THE LEOPARD GOT HIS SPOTS
THE ELEPHANT’S CHILD
THE SING-SONG OF OLD MAN KANGAROO
THE BEGINNING OF THE ARMADILLOS
HOW THE FIRST LETTER WAS WRITTEN
A lively, tongue‑in‑cheek tale opens with a massive whale prowling the ancient seas, devouring every fish it can find until only a tiny “stute” fish remains. That clever little fish nudges the whale toward a new curiosity—what a human might taste like. With a playful mix of rhyme and absurd detail, the story invites listeners into a world where marine giants converse with witty companions.
Spurred by the stute fish’s suggestion, the whale travels to a remote latitude and discovers a solitary mariner perched on a simple raft, dressed only in blue breeches and suspenders. Eager for a new flavor, the whale swallows the man whole, only to be struck by an unexpected bout of hiccoughs. As the whale struggles with this puzzling ailment, the listener is left wondering how a simple sea creature might solve its sudden, humorous dilemma.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (156K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Aug 1, 2001
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1865–1936
A master of vivid storytelling, he brought the landscapes and cultures of British India to life in unforgettable fiction, poetry, and journalism. His enduring classics include The Jungle Book, Kim, and the Just So Stories, and he became the first English-language writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.
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by Rudyard Kipling

by Rudyard Kipling

by Rudyard Kipling

by Rudyard Kipling

by Rudyard Kipling

by Rudyard Kipling

by Rudyard Kipling

by Rudyard Kipling