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JOSIE'S POEMS

Longer Narrative Poems

for Children


By Josie Whitehead

How the Camel Got His Hump .jpg

HOW THE CAMEL GOT HIS HUMP

(Adapted from a Rudyard Kipling's Just So Story)

By Josie Whitehead

How the Camel Got His Hump

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!"

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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!"

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

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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.

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

 

   

Copyright on all my poems

 

 

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