How the Camel Got its Hump

How the Camel Got its Hump

A long time ago, when God made the world, the camel did not have a hump. He used to be very lazy camel. All day long he chewed sticks and thorns and milkweed and prickles. The other animals wondered how to make the camel more like them. One day, the horse said, “Oh Camel, what a wonderful day! Why don’t you come out for a trot with me?” The Camel just said, “Humph!” and walked away. Later, the ox went to the camel and asked him to help him carry his load. “Humph!” said the camel. When the dog went to share his duty of guarding their kingdom, he just turned his face away. The angry animals decided to teach the camel a lesson. They went to the jinn of the desert and asked him to help them. The next day, the ox asked the camel, “What is that on your back?” When the camel looked, he realized to his shock that his back had grown into a hump. “Oh my back! My back!” he wailed. “That’s your punishment for being lazy,” said the jinn. Ever since, the camel has a hump.

Source: 365 Folk Tales – Om Books International