Myths and Legends

How the Kangaroo got

his pouch

Long ago when animals roamed the earth all of the creatures were happy, except one. This one was Kangaroo who was grumpy because he always tried to be better than the others but failed at all his attempts.

That very day he had tried climbing a tree like a leopard and fell down when he put his foot on a thorny branch. Day after day he thought he could be better than another animal at something and just ended up hurting himself.

Later that afternoon, kangaroo decided to prove his strength. So he collected some heavy rocks and was determined to throw them. He gathered the animals together and brought the rocks. He held one of the sharp ones carefully.

“I’ll now show you that I’m unbelievably strong by throwing these rocks,” kangaroo explained boldly, tossing one of the rocks by his ear. Then with the rock in his throwing position, he shot it into the air, which it travelled in for a few seconds, and then plunged down with a thump right in front of one of the rhinos front legs!

“You rotten show off!” shouted the rhino in its old croaky voice. Angrily, Rhino picked up the rock and threw it towards kangaroo who was now boasting about his strength. The rock sped across the kangaroos stomach slicing it open.

“Ow,Ow,Ow” Kangaroo shouted in pain.

For the next few days kangaroos stomach hurt. The slit healed but never closed. And that is why now, our days, the kangaroo has a pouch and never says he’s better than other animals.

Written by Holly