
HOW THE WHALE GOT HIS THROAT
HOW THE CAMEL GOT HIS 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
HOW THE ALPHABET WAS MADE
THE CRAB THAT PLAYED WITH THE SEA
In a sea where a restless whale has already devoured every fish, a tiny, dignified “stute” fish whispers a curious suggestion: “Have you ever tasted man?” Intrigued, the great cetacean sets off to a secret latitude, eager to discover what the mysterious human might be like. The tone is playful yet vivid, painting a world where even the smallest creature can guide a giant’s appetite.
Following the fish’s directions, the whale finds a lone mariner perched on a modest raft, clad only in blue canvas breeches, suspenders, and a jack‑knife. With a grand gulp, the whale swallows the man, his raft, and the accessories into a dark, warm cavity, only to feel a sudden, amusing disturbance as the resourceful sailor begins to stir inside. The whale’s unexpected hiccoughs hint at a mischievous adventure that promises plenty of humor and imagination for listeners.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (182K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Suzanne Shell, Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2010-05-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1865–1936
Born in Bombay and shaped by life in British India, this Nobel Prize-winning writer turned adventure, folklore, and childhood wonder into stories that have stayed popular for generations. Best known for The Jungle Book, Kim, and the Just So Stories, he wrote with a strong feel for place, rhythm, and memorable characters.
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