Just So Stories facts for kids
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Front cover from a 1912 edition
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| Author | Rudyard Kipling |
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| Original title | Just So Stories for Little Children |
| Illustrator | Rudyard Kipling (original edition) |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Origin tales |
| Publisher | Macmillan & Co. |
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Publication date
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1902 |
| Media type | |
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Just So Stories for Little Children is a famous book of stories written by Rudyard Kipling. It was first published in 1902 by Macmillan & Co. These stories are special because they are "origin stories." This means they try to explain how different things in the natural world came to be. For example, they tell funny tales about how the elephant got its long trunk or how the camel got its hump. Rudyard Kipling also drew the pictures for the very first edition of the book.
Contents
What Are Just So Stories?
Just So Stories are a collection of tales that answer common "how" and "why" questions about animals. They are like fables or myths that explain natural features in a playful way. Kipling created these imaginative stories to entertain young readers. Each story gives a creative, often silly, explanation for an animal's unique characteristic.
Famous Tales and Their Origins
The book includes many well-known stories. Each one offers a fun explanation for how an animal got its special look or habit. These tales are full of adventure and clever ideas.
The Elephant's Child
This story tells how the elephant got its long trunk. A curious young elephant asks many questions. One day, he asks what the Crocodile eats for dinner. This leads him on an adventure to the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River. There, he learns a big lesson about curiosity and stretching.
How the Camel Got His Hump
This tale explains why the camel has a hump. In the beginning, the camel was very lazy. He refused to work and only said "Humph!" The Djinn of All Deserts decided to teach him a lesson. The Djinn gave the camel a hump so he could work for three days without eating.
How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin
This story describes how the rhinoceros got its wrinkly skin. Long ago, the rhinoceros had smooth skin. But he was very rude and ate a cake that belonged to a Parsee man. The Parsee man got his revenge, causing the rhinoceros's skin to become wrinkly and itchy.
Who Was Rudyard Kipling?
Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) was a famous British writer. He was born in India and spent many years there. Kipling wrote many books, poems, and short stories. He is also known for The Jungle Book. In 1907, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature. He was the first English-language writer to receive this award.
Kipling as an Artist
Rudyard Kipling was not only a writer but also an artist. He drew the pictures for the original edition of Just So Stories. His illustrations are unique and match the playful style of his writing. These drawings help bring his imaginative tales to life for readers.
Images for kids
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How the Rhinoceros got his Skin, woodcut by Kipling
See also
In Spanish: Just So Stories para niños
