Category: Pourquoi Tales
Traditional legends and foundational stories 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. (LNA131-POU)
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The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo
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.
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The Elephant’s Child
In the High and Far-Off Times, the Elephant, had no trunk. He only had a blackish, bulgy nose, as big as a boot, that he could wriggle about from side to side. He couldn’t pick anything up with it.
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How the Leopard Got His Spots
In the days when the world was brand new, the Leopard lived in a place called the High Veldt. The Leopard was the sandiest-yellowest-brownest cat you ever did see. He matched the rocks and the grass so well that he could hide just by sitting still.
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Why the Rhino Wears Wrinkles
Once upon a time, on a lonely island, there lived a baker who wore a very shiny hat. One day, he made a giant, wonderful cake… But just as he was about to take a bite, a Rhinoceros with very bad manners came out of the jungle.
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How the Camel Got His Hump
A long time ago, when the world was brand new, the animals were just starting to work with the people. But there was one Camel who was very lazy.
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Why the Whale Eats Small Snacks
Long ago, the Whale ate everything he could find in the sea. He ate the big fish and the small fish.
