The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo

In the High and Far-Off Times, Old Man Kangaroo was a grey, woolly animal with four short, stumpy legs. He was incredibly conceited and desired to be different from all other animals, and to be truly popular. He went to the little god Nqua at six before breakfast, but was turned away. He went to the middle god Nquing at eight after breakfast, but was also refused. Finally, he went to the big god Nqong at ten before playtime. Nqong agreed to make him different, but in a way the Kangaroo did not expect. Nqong called upon Yellow-Dog Dingo, who was always hungry, and told him to chase the Kangaroo until five in the afternoon. They ran across the spinning deserts and the blue-gum forests of Australia. To escape the Dingo’s teeth, the Kangaroo began to hop on his hind legs. By the end of the day, his legs had stretched long and powerful, and his tail had grown into a heavy rudder for balance. He was indeed different and unique, but he was also exhausted and stuck hopping forever, having realized that being popular comes with a very high price.