WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY PHILIP PULLMAN

Have you ever wondered how the leopard got his spots? Or how the camel got his hump? Rudyard Kipling’s witty and beautifully written stories explain these secrets and many more and introduce such memorable characters as the Elephant’s Child, the Cat that Walked by Himself and the Butterfly that Stamped.

About the Author

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was born in Bombay, but educated in England at the United Services College, Westward Ho, Bideford. In 1882 he returned to India, where he worked for Anglo- Indian newspapers. His literary career began with DEPARTMENTAL DITTIES, but subsequently he became chiefly known as a writer of short stories. A prolific writer, he achieved fame quickly. Kipling was the poet of the British Empire and its yeoman, the common soldier, whom he glorified in many of his works, in particular PLAIN TALES FROM THE HILLS and SOLDIERS THREE, collections of short stories with roughly and affectionately drawn soldier portraits. His BARRACK ROOM BALLADS were written for, as much as about, the common soldier. In 1894 appeared his JUNGLE BOOK, which became a children's classic all over the world. KIM, the story of Kimball O'Hara and his adventures in the Himalayas, is perhaps his most felicitous work. Other works include THE SECOND JUNGLE BOOK, THE SEVEN SEAS, CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS, THE DAY'S WORK, STALKY & CO., JUST SO STORIES, TRAFFICKS & DISCOVERIES, PUCK OF POOK'S HILL, ACTIONS & REACTIONS, DEBITS & CREDITS, THY SERVANT A DOG, and LIMITS & RENEWALS. During the First World War Kipling wrote some propaganda books. His collected poems appeared in 1933. Kipling was the recipient of many honorary degrees and other awards. In 1926 he received the Gold Medal of the Royal Society of Literature, which only Scott, Meredith, and Hardy had been awarded before him.