
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
2001-08-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1865–1936
Best known for The Jungle Book, Kim, and Just So Stories, this Nobel Prize-winning writer turned his experiences of India and empire into stories that still spark debate as well as delight. His work ranges from adventurous children's tales to poems and stories that helped shape modern short fiction.
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by Rudyard Kipling

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by Rudyard Kipling