The Story of How the Camel Got His Hump

The story "How the Camel Got His Hump" is a popular folktale from Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories. It explains why camels have a hump on their back and why they are known for their lazy and stubborn nature. In the story, the camel is initially a hardworking and helpful animal, but due to his laziness, he refuses to do any work and only says "Humph!" when asked to do so.

Why did the camel say "Humph" three times?

The camel says "Humph" three times to express his refusal to do any work. Each time he says "Humph," he is reiterating his stubbornness and unwillingness to comply with the request of the Djinn, who has come to punish him for his laziness. The repetition of the word emphasizes the camel's defiance and sets the tone for the rest of the story.

Context and Explanation

In the story, the Djinn finds the camel lounging in the desert, refusing to help the other animals with their tasks. The Djinn warns the camel that if he continues to be lazy, he will have to work harder than any other animal. However, the camel arrogantly replies with a dismissive "Humph!" each time the Djinn speaks to him.

This repetitive response showcases the camel's stubbornness and lack of respect for authority. It also highlights the camel's resistance to changing his lazy ways. By saying "Humph" three times, the camel is essentially saying "No" to the Djinn's command and asserting his refusal to work.

The Consequence

As a consequence of his laziness, the Djinn puts a humph on the camel's back. This humph transforms into a hump, which becomes a permanent feature of the camel's anatomy. The hump serves as a storage of fat and sustenance for the camel during long journeys through the desert when food and water are scarce.

In this way, the camel's refusal to work leads to his punishment and the formation of his hump. The story teaches the lesson that laziness and stubbornness have consequences and that hard work is important for survival.

Overall, the camel saying "Humph" three times underscores his defiance and refusal to work, ultimately resulting in the formation of his hump. The story serves as an entertaining way to explain the origin of the camel's hump and teach a moral lesson about the importance of diligence and responsibility.

Because the camel did not want to work