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The Sing-song of Old Man Kangaroo

From Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling (1902)

This story comes from Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, first published in 1902. Kipling invented playful, imaginative explanations for how certain animals came to look the way they do. This tale, set in the Australian outback, uses made-up god-names and repeating, rhythmic language that was meant to be read aloud. The text reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. Children enjoy the humour, the chasing rhythm, and the lesson about being careful what you wish for—especially when pride is doing the wishing.

Band

Green · Independent readers, earlyTypical starting range: ages 9–11

Length

medium · about 823 words in 6 sections · 3 pictures

Source

Just so stories, Rudyard Kipling

First published

1902

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (10 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

Readers are engineered from the original public-domain text with AI under HummingRead’s published canon and Content Philosophy, checked by automated audit and sampled by a person. Pictures are made with AI to HummingRead’s brief for each story. How a reader is made.

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