--- title: The Sing-song of Old Man Kangaroo — Just so stories · full text with trees description: The Sing-song of Old Man Kangaroo, «Just so stories» by Rudyard Kipling: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: NOT always was the Kangaroo as now we do behold him, but a Different Animal with four short legs. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Just so stories](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/) / The Sing-song of Old Man Kangaroo # The Sing-song of Old Man Kangaroo The Sing-song of Old Man Kangaroo of «Just so stories» by Rudyard Kipling: the whole text, 68 sentences and 1180 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/1/) — NOT always was the Kangaroo as now we do behold him, but a Different Animal with four short legs. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/2/) — He was grey and he was woolly, and his pride was inordinate: he danced on an outcrop in the middle of Australia, and he went to the Little God Nqa. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/3/) — He went to Nqa at six before breakfast, saying, ‘Make me different from all other animals by five this afternoon.’ - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/4/) — Up jumped Nqa from his seat on the sandflat and shouted, ‘Go away!’ - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/5/) — He was grey and he was woolly, and his pride was inordinate: he danced on a rock-ledge in the middle of Australia, and he went to the Middle God Nquing. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/6/) — He went to Nquing at eight after breakfast, saying, ‘Make me different from all other animals; make me, also, wonderfully popular by five this afternoon.’ - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/7/) — Up jumped Nquing from his burrow in the spinifex and shouted, ‘Go away!’ - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/8/) — He was grey and he was woolly, and his pride was inordinate: he danced on a sandbank in the middle of Australia, and he went to the Big God Nqong. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/9/) — He went to Nqong at ten before dinner-time, saying, ‘Make me different from all other animals; make me popular and wonderfully run after by five this afternoon.’ - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/10/) — Up jumped Nqong from his bath in the salt-pan and shouted, ‘Yes, I will!’ - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/11/) — Nqong called Dingo--Yellow-Dog Dingo--always hungry, dusty in the sunshine, and showed him Kangaroo. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/12/) — Nqong said, ‘Dingo! - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/13/) — Wake up, Dingo! - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/14/) — Do you see that gentleman dancing on an ashpit? - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/15/) — He wants to be popular and very truly run after. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/16/) — Dingo, make him SO!’ - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/17/) — Up jumped Dingo--Yellow-Dog Dingo--and said, ‘What, that cat-rabbit?’ - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/18/) — Off ran Dingo--Yellow-Dog Dingo--always hungry, grinning like a coal-scuttle,--ran after Kangaroo. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/19/) — Off went the proud Kangaroo on his four little legs like a bunny. - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/20/) — This, O Beloved of mine, ends the first part of the tale! - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/21/) — He ran through the desert; he ran through the mountains; he ran through the salt-pans; he ran through the reed-beds; he ran through the blue gums; he ran through the spinifex; he ran till his front legs ached. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/22/) — He had to! - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/23/) — Still ran Dingo--Yellow-Dog Dingo--always hungry, grinning like a rat-trap, never getting nearer, never getting farther,--ran after Kangaroo. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/24/) — He had to! - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/25/) — Still ran Kangaroo--Old Man Kangaroo. - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/26/) — He ran through the ti-trees; he ran through the mulga; he ran through the long grass; he ran through the short grass; he ran through the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer; he ran till his hind legs ached. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/27/) — He had to! - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/28/) — Still ran Dingo--Yellow-Dog Dingo--hungrier and hungrier, grinning like a horse-collar, never getting nearer, never getting farther; and they came to the Wollgong River. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/29/) — Now, there wasn’t any bridge, and there wasn’t any ferry-boat, and Kangaroo didn’t know how to get over; so he stood on his legs and hopped. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/30/) — He had to! - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/31/) — He hopped through the Flinders; he hopped through the Cinders; he hopped through the deserts in the middle of Australia. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/32/) — He hopped like a Kangaroo. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/33/) — First he hopped one yard; then he hopped three yards; then he hopped five yards; his legs growing stronger; his legs growing longer. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/34/) — He hadn’t any time for rest or refreshment, and he wanted them very much. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/35/) — Still ran Dingo--Yellow-Dog Dingo--very much bewildered, very much hungry, and wondering what in the world or out of it made Old Man Kangaroo hop. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/36/) — For he hopped like a cricket; like a pea in a saucepan; or a new rubber ball on a nursery floor. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/37/) — He had to! - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/38/) — He tucked up his front legs; he hopped on his hind legs; he stuck out his tail for a balance-weight behind him; and he hopped through the Darling Downs. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/39/) — He had to! - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/40/) — Still ran Dingo--Tired-Dog Dingo--hungrier and hungrier, very much bewildered, and wondering when in the world or out of it would Old Man Kangaroo stop. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/41/) — Then came Nqong from his bath in the salt-pans, and said, ‘It’s five o’clock.’ - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/42/) — Down sat Dingo--Poor Dog Dingo--always hungry, dusky in the sunshine; hung out his tongue and howled. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/43/) — Down sat Kangaroo--Old Man Kangaroo--stuck out his tail like a milking-stool behind him, and said, ‘Thank goodness that’s finished!’ - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/44/) — Then said Nqong, who is always a gentleman, ‘Why aren’t you grateful to Yellow-Dog Dingo? - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/45/) — Why don’t you thank him for all he has done for you?’ - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/46/) — Then said Kangaroo--Tired Old Kangaroo--He’s chased me out of the homes of my childhood; he’s chased me out of my regular meal-times; he’s altered my shape so I’ll never get it back; and he’s played Old Scratch with my legs.’ - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/47/) — Then said Nqong, ‘Perhaps I’m mistaken, but didn’t you ask me to make you different from all other animals, as well as to make you very truly sought after? - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/48/) — And now it is five o’clock.’ - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/49/) — ‘Yes,’ said Kangaroo. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/50/) — ‘I wish that I hadn’t. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/51/) — I thought you would do it by charms and incantations, but this is a practical joke.’ - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/52/) — ‘Joke!’ said Nqong from his bath in the blue gums. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/53/) — ‘Say that again and I’ll whistle up Dingo and run your hind legs off.’ - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/54/) — ‘No,’ said the Kangaroo. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/55/) — ‘I must apologise. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/56/) — Legs are legs, and you needn’t alter ‘em so far as I am concerned. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/57/) — I only meant to explain to Your Lordliness that I’ve had nothing to eat since morning, and I’m very empty indeed.’ - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/58/) — ‘Yes,’ said Dingo--Yellow-Dog Dingo,--‘I am just in the same situation. - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/59/) — I’ve made him different from all other animals; but what may I have for my tea?’ - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/60/) — Then said Nqong from his bath in the salt-pan, ‘Come and ask me about it tomorrow, because I’m going to wash.’ - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/61/) — So they were left in the middle of Australia, Old Man Kangaroo and Yellow-Dog Dingo, and each said, ‘That’s your fault.’ - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/62/) — THIS is the mouth-filling song Of the race that was run by a Boomer, Run in a single burst--only event of its kind-- Started by big God Nqong from Warrigaborrigarooma, Old Man Kangaroo first: Yellow-Dog Dingo behind. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/63/) — Kangaroo bounded away, His back-legs working like pistons-- Bounded from morning till dark, Twenty-five feet to a bound. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/64/) — Yellow-Dog Dingo lay Like a yellow cloud in the distance-- Much too busy to bark. - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/65/) — My! but they covered the ground! - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/66/) — Nobody knows where they went, Or followed the track that they flew in, For that Continent Hadn’t been given a name. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/67/) — They ran thirty degrees, From Torres Straits to the Leeuwin (Look at the Atlas, please), And they ran back as they came. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/7/68/) — S’posing you could trot From Adelaide to the Pacific, For an afternoon’s run Half what these gentlemen did You would feel rather hot, But your legs would develop terrific-- Yes, my importunate son, You’d be a Marvellous Kid! - ← previous: [The Elephant’s Child](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/6/) - next →: [The Beginning of the Armadillos](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/8/) - ↑ back to [Just so stories](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg2781/)