HOW THE CAMEL GOT HIS HUMP

NOW this is the next tale, and it tells how the Camel got his big
hump.

In the beginning of years, when the world was so new and
all, and the Animals were just beginning to work for Man, there
was a Camel, and he lived in the middle of a Howling Desert
because he did not want to work; and besides, he was a Howler
himself. So he ate sticks and thorns and tamarisks and milkweed
and prickles, most 'scruciating idle; and when anybody spoke to
him he said 'Humph!' Just 'Humph!' and no more.

Presently the Horse came to him on Monday morning, with a saddle
on his back and a bit in his mouth, and said, 'Camel, O Camel,
come out and trot like the rest of us.'

'Humph!' said the Camel; and the Horse went away and told the
Man.

Presently the Dog came to him, with a stick in his mouth, and
said, 'Camel, O Camel, come and fetch and carry like the rest of
us.'

'Humph!' said the Camel; and the Dog went away and told the Man.

Presently the Ox came to him, with the yoke on his neck and said,
'Camel, O Camel, come and plough like the rest of us.'