The Sing-Song Of Old Man Kangaroo

Tonight, I am reading The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo. This tall tale is from Rudyard Kipling's "Just So" stories. Allow this reading to help you relax and fall into a deep, restorative sleep. Enjoy!

Transcript

THE SING-SONG OF OLD MAN KANGAROO Not always was the kangaroo as now we do behold him, But a different animal with four short legs. He was grey and he was wooly, And his pride was inordinate. He danced on an outcrop in the middle of Australia, And he went to the little god Inqua. He went to Inqua at six before breakfast, Saying, Make me different from all the other animals by five this afternoon. Up jumped Inqua from his seat on the sand flat and shouted, Go away! He was grey and he was wooly, And his pride was inordinate. He danced on a rock ledge in the middle of Australia, And he went to the middle god Nquing. He went to Nquing at eight after breakfast, Saying, Make me different from all the other animals. Make me also wonderfully popular by five this afternoon. Up jumped Nquing from his burrow in his spinifex and shouted, Go away! He was grey and he was wooly, And his pride was inordinate. He danced on a sand bank in the middle of Australia, And he went to the big god Nquing. He went to Nquing at ten before dinnertime, Saying, Make me different from all the other animals. Make me popular and wonderfully run after by five this afternoon. Up jumped Nquing from his bath in the salt pan and shouted, Yes, I will! Nquing called Dingo, Yellow dong Dingo, Always hungry, Dusty in the sunshine. And showed him kangaroo. Nquing said, Dingo, Wake up, Dingo. Do you see that gentleman dancing on the ash pit? He wants to be popular and very truly run after. Dingo, Make him so. Up jumped Dingo, Yellow dong Dingo, And said, What? That cat rabbit? Off ran Dingo, Yellow dong Dingo, Always hungry, Grinning like a coal scuttle. And he ran after kangaroo. Off went the proud kangaroo on his four little legs like a bunny. This, Oh, Beloved of mine, Ends the first part of the tale. He ran through the desert. He ran through the mountains. He ran through the salt pans. He ran through the reed beds. He ran through the blue gums. He ran through the spinifex. He ran till his front legs ached. He had to. Still ran Dingo, Yellow dong Dingo, Always hungry, Grinning like a rat trap. Never getting near, Never getting farther. Ran after kangaroo. He had to. Still ran kangaroo, Old man kangaroo. He ran through the Thai trees. He ran through the mulga. He ran through the long grass. He ran through the short grass. He ran through the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. He ran till his hind legs ached. He had to. Still ran Dingo, Yellow dong Dingo, Hungrier and hungrier, Grinning like a horse collar. Never getting near, Never getting farther. And they came to the Walgong River. Now there wasn't any bridge and there wasn't any ferry boat and kangaroo didn't know how to get over. So he stood on his legs and hopped. He hopped through the flinders. He hopped through the cinders. He hopped through the deserts in the middle of Australia. He hopped like a kangaroo. First he hopped one yard. Then he hopped three yards. Then he hopped five yards. His legs growing stronger. His legs growing longer. He hadn't any time for rest or refreshment and he wanted them very much. Still ran Dingo, Yellow dog Dingo, Very much bewildered, Very much hungry. And wondering what in the world or out of it made old man kangaroo hop. For he hopped like a cricket, Like a pea in a saucepan, Or a new rubber ball in a nursery floor. He had to. He tucked up his front legs. He hopped on his hind legs. He stuck out his tail for a balance weight behind him. And he hopped through the Darling Downs. He had to. Still ran Dingo, Tired dog Dingo, Hungrier and hungrier, Very much bewildered. And wondering when in the world or out of it would old man kangaroo stop. Then came Nikong from his bath on the salt pans and said, It's five o'clock. Down sat Dingo, Poor dog Dingo, Always hungry. Dusky in the sunshine. Hung out his tongue and howled. Down sat kangaroo, Old man kangaroo. Stuck out his tail like a milking stool behind him and said, Thank goodness that's finished. Then said Nikong, Who is always a gentleman. Why aren't you grateful to yellow dog Dingo? Why don't you thank him for all he has done for you? Then said kangaroo, Tired old kangaroo. He's chased me out of the homes of my childhood. He's chased me out of my regular mealtimes. He's altered my shape so I'll never get it back. And he's played old scratch with my legs. Then said Nikong, Perhaps I'm mistaken. But didn't you ask me to make you different from all the other animals? As well as to make you very truly sought after. And now it's five o'clock. Yes, Said kangaroo. I wish that I hadn't. I thought you would do it by charms and incantations. But this is a practical joke. Joke, Said Nikong from his bath in the blue gums. Say that again and I'll have the Dingo run after you again. No, Said the kangaroo. I must apologize. Legs are legs and you needn't alter them as far as I'm concerned. I only meant to explain to your lordliness that I've had nothing to eat since morning and I'm very empty indeed. Yes, Said Dingo, Yellow dog Dingo. I'm in the same situation. I've made him different from all other animals. But what may I have for my tea? Then said Nikong from his bath in the salt pan. Come and ask me about it tomorrow because I'm going to wash. So they were left in the middle of Australia. Old Man Kangaroo and Yellow Dog Dingo. And each said, That's your fault. This is the mouth-filling song of the race that was run by a boomer. Run in a single burst only event of its kind. Started by a big god, Nikong, From Wara-Gabora-Garuma. Old Man Kangaroo first, Yellow Dog Dingo behind. Kangaroo bounded away, His back legs working like pistons. Bounded from morning till dark, 25 feet to a bound. Yellow Dog Dingo lay like a yellow cloud in the distance, Much too busy to bark. My, But they covered the ground. Nobody knows where they went or followed the track that they flew in. For that continent hadn't been given a name. They ran 30 degrees from Torrey Straits to the Luwin. Look at the atlas, Please. And they ran back as they came. Supposing you could trot from Adelaide to the Pacific for an afternoon's run. Half what these gentlemen did, You would feel rather hot. But your legs would develop terrific. Yes, My importunate son, You'd be a marvelous kid. And that is the end of our story this evening. Until next time, Sweet dreams.