Long ago, the Kangaroo was not as we see him now. He was a different animal with four short legs. He was grey, he was woolly, and he was very, very proud. He danced on a rock in the middle of Australia, and then he went to the gods.
He went to the Little God Nqa at six before breakfast. “Make me different from all other animals,” he said, “and do it by five this afternoon!”
Up jumped Nqa from the sand-flat and shouted, “Go away!”
He went to the Middle God Nquing at eight after breakfast. “Make me different, and make me wonderfully popular by five this afternoon!”
Up jumped Nquing from his burrow in the spinifex, his prickly, pincushion-grass home, and shouted, “Go away!”
He went to the Big God Nqong at ten before lunch-time. “Make me different from all other animals. Make me popular and wonderfully run after by five this afternoon!”
Up jumped Nqong from his bath and shouted, “Yes, I will!”
Nqong called Yellow-Dog Dingo, always hungry, who was laying dusty in the sunshine. Nqong showed him the Kangaroo. Nqong said, “Dingo! Wake up, Dingo! Do you see that animal dancing on the rocks? He wants to be truly run after. Dingo, make him so!”
Up jumped Yellow-Dog Dingo and off he ran. Off went the proud Kangaroo on his four little legs like a bunny.
He had to!
He ran through the desert, the wide land of hot, yellow sand.
He ran through the mountains, the high land of big, grey rocks.
He ran through the salt-pans, the flat land of white, crunchy crusts.
He ran through the reed-beds, the wet land of tall, swishy grass.
He ran through the blue gums, the tall forests of silver, minty trees.
He ran through the spinifex, the prickly patches of pincushion grass.
He ran until his front legs ached.
He had to!
Still ran Yellow-Dog Dingo, always hungry, grinning wide. Never getting nearer, never getting farther. He ran after Kangaroo.
He had to!
Still ran Old Man Kangaroo.
He ran through the ti-trees, the twisty bushes with the white flowers and the papery bark.
He ran through the mulga, the tough, silver trees that live in the dry, dry dirt.
He ran through the long grass, the tall, wavy grass that tickled his tummy.
He ran through the short grass, the tiny, soft grass that tickled his toes.
He ran through the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer, the warm, sunny invisible lines that go all the way around the middle of the world.
He ran until his hind legs ached.
He had to!
Still ran Yellow-Dog Dingo, always hungry, grinning wide. Never getting nearer, never getting farther. He ran after Kangaroo.
He had to!
They came to the Wollgong River. There was no bridge and there was no ferry-boat, so the Kangaroo stood on his legs and hopped!
He had to!
He hopped through the Flinders, the big, rugged mountains of red and orange rock.
He hopped through the Cinders, the dusty, grey land that looks like a giant pile of ash.
He hopped through the deserts, the wide open spaces in the very middle of Australia.
He hopped like a cricket.
He hopped like a bouncy rubber ball!
First he hopped one yard.
Then he hopped three yards.
Then he hopped five yards.
His legs were growing stronger. His legs were growing longer!
He tucked up his front legs. He hopped on his hind legs.
He stuck out his tail for a balance-weight behind him.
He hopped through the Darling Downs, the rolling green hills and the fields of soft, wavy grass.
He had to!
Still ran Yellow-Dog Dingo, always hungry, grinning wide. Getting hungrier and wondering when Old Man Kangaroo would ever stop.
Then came Nqong from his bath and said, “It is five o’clock!”
Down sat Yellow-Dog Dingo. The Poor Dog Dingo. He howled.
Down sat Kangaroo. The Old Man Kangaroo. He stuck out his tail like a milking-stool.
“Thank goodness that’s finished!” he said.
“Why aren’t you grateful to Yellow-Dog Dingo?” asked Nqong.
“He’s chased me out of my home,” said the Kangaroo. “He’s chased me away from my dinner. He’s altered my shape so much, I’ll never get it back. He’s played tricks with my legs!”
“But,” said Nqong, “didn’t you ask me to make you different from all other animals? And didn’t you ask to be truly sought after? Now it is five o’clock, and you are exactly what you asked to be!”
“Yes,” said Old Man Kangaroo. “I wish I hadn’t asked. I thought you would do a charm or chant. This was a joke!”
“Joke!” roared Nqong. “Say that again and I’ll ask Dingo to run your hind legs off.”
“No,” called the Kangaroo. “I’m sorry. Legs are legs. You don’t need to change them. I just meant to say I hadn’t eaten since the morning. I’m very hungry.”
“Yes,” said Dingo. “I’m the same! I made him different, but what do I get to eat?”
Then said Nqong, “Ask me tomorrow. I’m going back to my bath.”
So there they sat in the middle of Australia, the Old Man Kangaroo and the Yellow-Dog Dingo. They looked at each other and each said, “That’s your fault!”
About the Original Story
Original Title: “The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo”
From the Book: Just So Stories (1912)
Author: Rudyard Kipling
Type: This story is a Pourquoi Tale , a traditional legend or foundational story focused on explaining the origins of natural phenomena, animal physical traits, or cultural customs. These narratives serve as ancestral records and cultural adaptations that answer “how” or “why” a specific part of the natural world became the way it is today. Pourquoi is the French word for “why.”
History: Originally published in 1900, this story uses a rhythmic, sing-song style of writing. It explains the physical evolution of the kangaroo as a result of a practical joke played by the god Nqong. This version maintains the iconic “He had to!” refrain which makes it fun for kindergarteners to shout along with the reader.
In this modernized version, the archaic Victorian vocabulary has been replaced with descriptive word-pictures to help children visualize unique Australian features.
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Disclaimer: The information published on Youth Activity Archive and The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.
- Kipling, Rudyard. Just so Stories. Doubleday Page & Company, 1912.
- Found on Gutenberg Library, 17 April 2026: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/32488
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