This book contains the following story:
"How the Whale Got His Throat" is a short story by Rudyard Kipling, part of his collection "Just So Stories," published in 1902. This whimsical story explains why the whale has a throat that can swallow enormous quantities of water. Here's a plot summary of "How the Whale Got His Throat":
The story begins by introducing a time when the world was new and animals were learning to live together. In the sea, there lived a small, bold, and greedy "Stute Fish" (a type of small, round fish) who was known for his insatiable appetite.
The Stute Fish enjoyed teasing and playing tricks on other sea creatures, particularly the "'Stute Fish" (a play on words that sounds like "astute fish"), who were clever and cunning. The 'Stute Fish would pretend to be an island, and when unsuspecting 'Stute Fish would come to rest on his back, he would suddenly dive underwater, trapping and eating them.
One day, the 'Stute Fish decided to seek revenge on the bold and greedy Stute Fish. He enlisted the help of a mighty Whale who had a very small throat and could not swallow large quantities of food. The 'Stute Fish suggested that the Whale should swallow the bold Stute Fish.
The Whale, intrigued by the idea, agreed to the plan. He swam up to the bold Stute Fish and invited him to play a game. The Stute Fish, who was always up for a challenge, agreed. He opened his mouth wide, and the Stute Fish swam inside, thinking that he had outsmarted the Whale.
However, the clever 'Stute Fish had other plans. He signaled to his friends, the Porpoises, who quickly filled the Whale's throat with tiny fish and seaweed. The Whale tried to swallow, but his small throat became clogged, and he couldn't eat the bold Stute Fish.
The Whale pleaded with the 'Stute Fish to let him go, promising not to eat him. The 'Stute Fish agreed, but only after the Whale promised never to eat 'Stute Fish again. The Whale agreed, and the 'Stute Fish summoned the Porpoises to clear the Whale's throat of the debris.
As a result of this ordeal, the Whale's throat was stretched to accommodate large quantities of water, and he could no longer swallow small creatures or play tricks on them. From then on, the Whale lived on a diet of plankton and krill, while the 'Stute Fish continued to be bold and clever.
"How the Whale Got His Throat" is a playful and humorous story that offers an imaginative explanation for a natural feature of the whale's anatomy. It underscores the consequences of greed and trickery while celebrating cleverness and cooperation in overcoming challenges.
