Just so stories by Rudyard Kipling

Book Summary:

Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling is a cherished collection of whimsical tales that offer imaginative explanations for the origins of various animals and natural phenomena. First published in 1902, the stories are written in a playful, rhythmic style and are addressed to "O Best Beloved," a term Kipling used to refer to his daughter Josephine. The narratives anthropomorphize animals to illustrate human virtues and shortcomings, similar to fables, and explore themes of morality and cultural identity .

The collection comprises several stories, each explaining how certain animals acquired their distinctive features:

• How the Whale Got His Throat: Describes how the whale's throat evolved to filter small prey.

• How the Camel Got His Hump: Explains how the lazy camel was punished by being given a hump.

• How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin: Tells why rhinos have folds in their skin and bad tempers.

• How the Leopard Got His Spots: Narrates how leopards acquired their spots.

• The Elephant's Child/How the Elephant Got His Trunk: Explains how the elephant's trunk became long.

• The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo: Describes how the kangaroo assumed long legs and tail.

• The Beginning of the Armadillos: Tells how a hedgehog and tortoise transformed into the first armadillos.

• How the First Letter Was Written: Introduces the Tegumai family and explains how Taffy delivered a picture message to her mother.

• How the Alphabet Was Made: Describes how Taffy and her father invented an alphabet.

• The Crab that Played with the Sea: Explains the ebb and flow of the tides and how the crab changed from a huge animal into a small one.

• The Cat that Walked by Himself: Describes how man domesticated all the wild animals, even the cat, which insisted on greater independence.

• The Butterfly that Stamped: Tells how Solomon saved the pride of a butterfly, and the Queen of Sheba used this to prevent his wives from scolding him.

These stories are characterized by Kipling's distinctive narrative style, featuring repetition, playful language, and moral lessons .

About the Author:

Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) was a British author and poet, best known for works such as The Jungle Book and Kim. Born in India, Kipling's experiences there deeply influenced his writing. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 for his work, which includes a wide range of stories, poems, and novels that explore themes of British imperialism, adventure, and the complexities of human nature.