How the Camel Got His Hump

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s humorous and rhythmic, with a clear cause-and-effect lesson about helping and sharing effort. Best as a cozy read-aloud with a warm ‘we all pitch in’ ending.

Story Synopsis

Long ago, in the very beginning of the world, the Camel lives in the middle of a hot desert and does exactly what he wants. When anyone asks him to help—carry loads, pull carts, or do a fair share of work—he only says one word: “Humph!” The Horse, the Dog, and the Ox get tired of doing extra work for him. They go to the Man and complain: it isn’t fair. But the Camel doesn’t care. He keeps strolling through the sand, humming to himself, and answering every request with the same lazy sound. That’s when the Djinn of All Deserts appears. The Djinn is powerful, proud, and not amused by “Humph!” He listens to the animals, finds the Camel, and asks what he has to say for himself. “Humph,” says the Camel. With a snap of magic—and a very surprised Camel—the Djinn gives him a hump. It isn’t meant as cruelty. It’s a practical consequence: the Camel will now be able to do three days’ worth of work without eating, using the stored energy in the hump. But the Camel also learns something else: when you refuse to help, you don’t just make others’ days harder—you change your own life too. By the end, the desert feels calmer again. Work is shared, the lesson is learned, and the story closes with a wink: that’s why camels have humps to this day.

Story Excerpt

In the very beginning of years, when the world was brand - new and everything was just getting started, the animals were beginning to help Man with his work. In a wide Howling Desert lived a Camel with a long neck and long legs. He liked the desert because it was quiet, and because he did not want to work at all. He spent his days nibbling sticks and thorns and tamarisks and milkweed and prickles, as idle as could be. Sometimes he would wander to a little pool of water and look at his own reflection, very pleased with himself. And whenever anybody spoke to him, he said only one word. “ Humph! ” That was all. On Monday morning, the Horse came by. He had a saddle on his back and a bit in his mouth, ready for work. He stood at the edge of the desert and called in a clear voice, “ Camel, O Camel, come out and trot like the rest of us. ” The Camel barely lifted his head from chewing. “ Humph! ” he said. The Horse blinked, waited for something more, and then turned away. He trotted back to Man and told him what had happened. Not long after, the Dog came. He had a stick in his mouth, ready to fetch and carry. He padded up to the Camel and said, “ Camel, O Camel, come and fetch and carry like the rest of us. ” The Camel kept chewing as if he hadn’t heard a thing. “ Humph! ” he said. The Dog’s ears drooped. He went back to Man and…

In One Glance