A lazy camel, in the sun,
     Relaxed beside a pool.
‘Whilst others work, my life is good.
      Work hard?  I’m not a fool!’

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‘Those humans make we creatures work
      Before we get our rest:
‘Oh humph,’ said he, and laughed and laughed:
     ‘I know whose life is best!’

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An ox came slowly through the sand:
      ‘We’d like some help,’ said he.
‘What?  Work like you?’ the camel said,
       ‘My life is happy – free!’

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A dog arrived another day:
     ‘Come on!  Give us a hand!’
But the lazy camel just said ‘humph,’
     And rolled back on the sand.

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A poor old horse arrived and said:
     ‘Our work’s too much for us!
Get up from that warm sandy bed,
     And don’t let’s have more fuss!’

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So, did the camel go with him
     To do some honest toil?
He said: ‘Work hard?  Not likely for
     My silky coat would spoil!’

​

I think he added ‘humph’ again
     To what he had to say,
Then settled down in that soft sand
     To spend his lazy day.

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The desert Djin, a spirit, came:
     ‘What’s this I’ve heard of you?
The other animals must work,
      And you must do so too!’

​

That lazy camel just said: ‘humph,’
     (A most insulting word) –
And the other animals felt sad
     At all they’d seen and heard.

​

To say a word like ‘humph’ indeed –
     And to the desert Djin,
Is something they would never do:
      It really is a sin.

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The angry Djin said: ‘Humph, indeed!
     It’s manners that you lack!
I’ll teach you some respect, you beast!'
     And he touched the camel’s back.

​

A hump appeared upon its back,
     Which now all camels wear.
It reminds them that, like everyone,
     The work on earth we share!  

 

   

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