# How the Camel Got His Hump explained — Just So Stories

> Chapter companion for Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.

## What happens

In the beginning of years, the Camel lived in the middle of a Howling Desert, refusing to work and only saying 'Humph!' When the Horse, Dog, and Ox tried to enlist his help, he refused each time, forcing them to work double. The Djinn in charge of All Deserts confronted the Camel and, after the Camel said 'Humph!' once too often, caused a great hump to grow on his back. The Djinn explained that the hump would allow the Camel to work for three days without eating, making up for the three days he had missed. The Camel then joined the others, but has never caught up on the lost time or learned to behave properly.

## Themes in this chapter

### Consequences of Idleness

The Camel's refusal to work leads to a physical hump and eternal lag in catching up on missed work, illustrating the negative outcomes of laziness.

### Justice and Punishment

The Djinn enforces a just punishment on the Camel for his idleness, turning his own 'Humph!' into a permanent hump that serves both as penalty and practical adaptation.

## Character check-ins

### The Camel

The idle Camel who refuses to work and only says 'Humph!', ultimately receiving a hump as punishment.

### The Djinn

The Djinn in charge of All Deserts who punishes the Camel by giving him a hump.

### Wild Horse

One of the three animals who tries to get the Camel to work, reporting to the Man and later complaining to the Djinn.

### The Dog

One of the three animals who asks the Camel to fetch and carry, and later joins the complaint to the Djinn.

### Wild Cow

The Ox who asks the Camel to plough, and later participates in the palaver with the Djinn.

## Key lines

> Humph!

A dismissive grunt expressing refusal and indifference.

_The Camel's only response to all requests, which ultimately leads to his punishment._

> Today is Thursday, and you’ve done no work since Monday, when the work began. Now you are going to work.

It is now Thursday, and you have been idle since Monday; it is time for you to start working.

_The Djinn confronts the Camel about his three days of idleness and commands him to work._

> You will be able to work now for three days without eating, because you can live on your humph; and don’t you ever say I never did anything for you.

Your hump will allow you to work for three days without food, so you cannot claim I have not helped you.

_The Djinn explains the practical benefit of the hump, turning punishment into a form of provision._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/just_so_stories_se/chapters/how-the-camel-got-his-hump
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