Once upon a time, a Camel felt unhappy. He was upset because he didn't have the strong defense tools like other animals. "Look at the bull," he lamented, "it has sharp horns. The wild pig has sturdy tusks. And the lion and tiger, they both have pointed claws and teeth that make everyone afraid. But me, I have nothing. Anyone can say nasty things to me and I can't do anything about it."
Feeling distressed, the Camel approached Jupiter, the king of all the planets. He believed Jupiter would understand his problem. He poured out his worries to Jupiter.
However, Jupiter looked at the Camel and said, "If you would just pause and think, you'd realize you possess something no other animal has. But because you keep grumbling and need a reminder, I will make your ears smaller."
The Camel was taken aback. He had never considered what made him special. He had only focused on what he didn't have. And now, due to his constant complaints, his ears were becoming smaller.
Once, there was a Camel who was unhappy. He felt sad because he didn’t have strong defenses like other animals. "Look at the bull," he said. "It has sharp horns. The wild pig has strong tusks. And the lion and tiger have sharp claws and teeth that make everyone afraid of them. But I have nothing. People can say mean things to me, and I can’t do anything about it."
Feeling bad, the Camel went to see Jupiter, the king of the planets. He hoped Jupiter could help him. The Camel told Jupiter all his worries and asked Jupiter to give him horns.
Jupiter was upset with the Camel's request. He saw that the Camel was not satisfied with his own size and strength and still wanted more. Jupiter decided to teach him a lesson. "You should appreciate your unique qualities instead of complaining. Since you are not content with what you have, I will make your ears smaller."
The Camel was shocked. He had never thought about what made him special. He had only focused on what he didn’t have. And now, because he complained too much, his ears were getting smaller.
Once, there was a Camel who was unhappy. He felt sad because he didn’t have strong defenses like other animals. "Look at the bull," he said. "It has sharp horns. The wild pig has strong tusks. And the lion and tiger have sharp claws and teeth that make everyone afraid of them. But I have nothing. People can say mean things to me, and I can’t do anything about it."
Feeling bad, the Camel went to see Jupiter, the king of the planets. He hoped Jupiter could help him. The Camel told Jupiter all his worries and asked Jupiter to give him horns.
Jupiter was upset with the Camel's request. He saw that the Camel was not satisfied with his own size and strength and still wanted more. Jupiter decided to teach him a lesson. "You should appreciate your unique qualities instead of complaining. Since you are not content with what you have, I will make your ears smaller."
The Camel was shocked. He had never thought about what made him special. He had only focused on what he didn’t have. And now, because he complained too much, his ears were getting smaller.
Once upon a zany time, somewhere between Realityville and Imaginationland, a Camel was throwing a proper, first-class pity party for one. "Aw, man! Look at Mr. Bull over there, the big show-off," the Camel sighed, "He's got pointy horns that could pop a balloon!"
"And don’t even get me started on Wild Pig," the Camel went on, "He’s got those cool tusks like he’s a pirate or something!"
"And the lion and the tiger? Forget about it! They've got claws and teeth like they’re in a superhero movie!"
Feeling sadder than a rain cloud, the Camel thought, "Alright, this can't go on. Time to take my problems to the boss!" So he stomped his hooves and went to see Jupiter, the King of all the Planets. Yup, he’s the big cheese in the sky.
Camel got there and made a big show of clearing his throat like he was about to sing the loudest song ever. "Hey Jupiter, you’re the king of everything! Listen to my grumbles, okay?"
Jupiter, looking really chill, leaned back on a cloud and adjusted his super-cool sunnies. "Hey there, Mr. Complainy-Pants. Ever thought that maybe you’ve got something special, too?"
The Camel looked surprised. "Something special? Is that like a hidden toy or a magic trick I didn’t know about?"
Jupiter laughed, "You’re funny, but you need to chill on the complaining. So here's a little change." Jupiter snapped his fingers, and whoosh! Camel’s ears started to get tiny.
"Hey, wait a sec! My ears are shrinking! They’re baby-sized now!"
Jupiter took off his sunnies and said, "Well, maybe now you’ll stop listening to the grumbles and start hearing how awesome you are. You’ve got a hump full of water! You’re like a walking water bottle in the desert!"
Camel blinked and thought, "Wow, I never looked at it that way." His ears might have gotten small, but his smarts got a whole lot bigger.
From that day on, Camel stopped worrying about being a show-off or a superhero. He was the Camel, the best water carrier in the desert, no matter how tiny his ears got.
And so, Mr. Camel learned that sometimes you lose a little to find out you’re really, really awesome in your own special way. And with his little ears and big hump, he was ready for any adventure that came his way!
In a desert, sandy and grand,
Lived a Camel, sad in the land.
"He's got horns, she's got might,
What do I have? Oh, it's not right!"
Camel sighed, his eyes full of gloom,
"No one fears me, I've got no room!"
He looked at Bull, and Pig, and Lion,
Each one strong, like a metal iron.
So off he went, with hope anew,
To Jupiter, who'd know what to do.
"I feel so weak, they're all so grand,
Can't you give me a strong, fierce hand?"
Jupiter gazed at the complaining beast,
"You've got gifts, to say the least!
Stop your fuss, and you will find,
You're unique, one of a kind."
"But since you grumble, don't you see,
I'll change you, to help you be
Thankful for what makes you you—
Smaller ears will give you a clue!"
Camel blinked, a thought in mind,
That he was special, one-of-a-kind.
With smaller ears, he learned that day,
To love himself in a brand-new way.
Ways to protect oneself from danger or harm.
Long, sharp teeth some animals use for protection.
Sharp nails animals use to defend or catch prey.
Happy with what you have; not wanting more.
To understand and value something's importance or worth.
Special and different from everything else.
Expressing dissatisfaction or unhappiness about something.
Feeling satisfied with what you have; not wanting more.
Extremely surprised or upset by something unexpected.
Characteristics that make someone or something special.
Ways to protect oneself from danger or harm.
Long, sharp teeth some animals use for protection.
Sharp nails animals use to defend or catch prey.
Happy with what you have; not wanting more.
To understand and value something's importance or worth.
Special and different from everything else.
Expressing dissatisfaction or unhappiness about something.
Feeling satisfied with what you have; not wanting more.
Extremely surprised or upset by something unexpected.
Characteristics that make someone or something special.
Why was the Camel unhappy at the beginning of the story?
What did the Camel ask Jupiter to give him, and why?
How did Jupiter react to the Camel's request?
What lesson did Jupiter want to teach the Camel?
What change did Jupiter make to the Camel, and how did the Camel feel afterward?
A thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water too low to reach. What clever trick will he use to get a drink?
When a farmer brings a bundle of sticks to his sons, they stop arguing. How did a simple bundle of sticks teach them?
A lion spares a tiny mouse who promises to return the favor one day. How could such a small mouse possibly help a lion?
Steady and patient, a slow tortoise dares to race against a confident hare. Who will cross the finish line first?
The powerful North Wind and the gentle Sun try to make a traveler take off his cloak to prove who is stronger. Which one will succeed?
A king's elephant and a dog form a friendship, are suddenly separated, but they are reunited by the king and live happily.
While the grasshopper dances through summer, the ant works hard, gathering food. Which one will survive when winter arrives?
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