The Very Little Camel
An old tale from Syria adapted for early childhood telling and puppetry
Once upon a time in a far away land, lived a Mama Camel and her newborn camel. They lived in a sandy desert with hills of sand called sand dunes. Sometimes there was shade from a tall Palm tree.
This is where Mama and her little one were resting one day. It was peaceful in the shade and Mama watched and laughed as her little camel played and ran on his very wobbly new legs.
The herd of camels was close by, all resting in the bright noon sun. Mama knew they had been gathered there because three wise Kings were coming with their servants to go on a great journey over the desert. A child had been born, a special child, one who was to be the King of all the world. The camels were needed to carry the kings and their gifts to the newborn child.
Mama Camel was excited, but worried about her little one. He was too small for such a long journey. She looked at him, so happily playing and trying to run. His little thin legs wobbled and bobbled, but he did not seem to mind at all.
Later that day, a finely dressed King came close to her with the owner of the herd. ‘This one looks strong and kind,’ said the King, looking at Mama. ‘I will ride her myself!’ The herdsman said, ‘Yes dear King, I will saddle her for you.’
The King walked on, and the herdsman looked at the very little camel and said, ‘ you cannot come on this journey. It is too long - shoo, shoo now. Stay with my wife. She will look after you until we return. Shoo now, shoo, shoo!’
The little camel ran a little way and hid. His Mama watched him and wondered what to do. When the herdsman finished putting the saddle on the fine Mama Camel, he left to get other camels ready.
Little camel ran to Mama and said, ‘ Mama, I want to come too. I want to be near you and I want to see the special child.’
‘ Mama said, ‘you can try, but hide behind the other big camels that carry the gifts. Maybe they will not see you there. If the herdsman sees you he will make you go home.’
When night came, the sky was clear. Mama had never seen such a sky. The stars lit up the desert. It would be an easy walk for them. The King sat in the saddle, and with his friends, set off to follow the brightest star.
Right away the herdsman saw little camel! ‘Shoo, shoo, I told you. You are too small to come. Shoo, away home now, Shoo!’
The little camel backed away from the procession. He hid for a moment then followed, trying not to be noticed. Up the sand dunes and down they went. Up and down, up and down. The sand was deep beneath their feet. Little camel thought, this is a long journey, and he got so tired he had to stop and rest. He soon fell fast asleep. The stars shone down, and the Kings continued on, following the brightest star.
When little camel woke up, all was quiet. ‘Oh no, where are the Kings? Where is my Mama?’ As he looked out he could see nothing but sand. Then something caught his eye. It was a twinkle of starlight on the sandy ground ahead. Ah, there were camel footprints left in the sand. ‘I can follow these and find Mama!’ Off he went, little camel wobbling and bobbling as he ran faster to catch up with them.
Some time later the wind started to blow in the desert. The wind whirled the sand off the ground, twirling it through the air! Little camel had to stop. It was a sand storm! He covered his eyes and hid his head between his knees. There was so much sand blowing he could not see anything at all. He just had to wait for the sand and windstorm to stop.
At last it became quiet and peaceful. Little camel shook the sand off his face. As he looked around, he saw all the camel footprints he had been following were blown away in the storm.
‘Oh no, I do not know where to go to find my Mama. I will not get to see the special child of the world now. As the dust began to settle, the clear sky appeared and again the stars lit up the night. The largest star was even brighter now, and little camel could see, in the distance, the procession of the Kings. And there he saw his Mama! Quickly little camel started to run...
Wobbly and bobbly on legs thin and weak,
Little camel ran on, keeping a peek,
At the Kings and his Mama by the light of a star,
Following onward to a stable, which wasn’t too far!
Up ahead, little camel could see they were all gathered at a stable. Light shone all around as the three Kings went inside the humble shelter and knelt in front of the small child. They had many gifts for the child, and began bringing them in to the baby. Little camel kept running until all at once, the wobbly little camel came running right inside the stable, nearly falling on the baby’s cradle of straw!
The herdsman was about to shout at him, but the wise King that rode Mama Camel raised his hand.
The baby’s Mother welcomed the little camel. ‘What a handsome little camel you are. Did you come on this long journey too to see my child? You are not only handsome, you are strong and brave!’ And she patted the little camel and picked up her baby so the little camel could see him better.
The Mother, named Mary, said, ‘little camel, you and my baby are both new to the world. I know you will both be helpers to many.’ She smiled as she looked deeply into little camel’s eyes. Little camel looked at the special child, and felt his heart get warmer and bigger than ever!
Little camel saw his own Mama Camel standing close by and ran to her for a nuzzle. Mama Camel kissed her little one. Mother Mary kissed her little one too.
The stable shone with the warmest glowing light, and all was well in the land.