Thirsty the Camel

Thirsty the Camel

Thirsty the camel

Had two humps

Of water that fitPerfectly on his back.

Thirsty the camelWould let his lips go dryBecause he was alwaysTrying to drinkSomeone else’sWater supply.

“Every good deed leaves a mark in time.”

“Thirsty, why don’t you drinkFrom one of your humps?”Asked the Chamomile CamelWith one hump, not two.By the way, this girl camel –Thirsty liked very much.

Thirsty smacked his chapped lips andIn a scratchy voice cried:“Why?When I can get a free ride.And save all the water for meWhen the well goes dry.Then I will give some to you; if you are good.”

“Oh no,” thought the girl camel with one hump.“That is so very bad.”Thirsty the camelNever learned how to share.

“How sad,” said the girl camel with one hump.

Out in the distance a figure approached;Then Thirsty did a wee jump.“Watch this.” He, with a smile in his eye,Saw a scruffy mutt pedaling by…

Around his little cute neckThe dog wore a red and black plaid collarWith a little barrel of water.

“Oh, the desert heat is making me so dry,”Said Thirsty to the camel.“Little dog, do you have water to spare?”

The scruffy little mutt:“Oh dear, please drink some of my water –Honestly, you can take what is left.”

“Sharing makes the world safe for everyone.”

Thirsty jumped at the water andSlurped it all up.The girl camel with one hump tried to warnThe generous pup:“He has two full humps of water.He has more than enough.Oh poor pup, now what will you do?”

The mutt woofed his reply:“Even the selfishNeed to be rescued,Even if it is from themselves.

I could see those two water humpsFrom miles away,And I knew Thirsty, the two-humped camel,Would take without giving.Word gets around about stingy camels like him.

He thinks the world owes himA thing or two or three.That’s his problem, it’s not hardship on me.I like to share — that’s what dogs do.

Thirsty is scaredAnd wants all the water for himself.He is waiting for someone to love,’Cause he can’t love himself.”

“A promise kept is a treasure sealed.”

Thirsty hung his head in great shame.This scruffy mutt was not a fool.He didn’t care about Thirsty’s mean game.He liked Thirsty just the same.

Then Thirsty did something so crazy and wild:He filled the dog’s water barrelAnd made a little watering hole too.Thirsty had saved so much waterHe even made a giant pool.

The rest of the camels patted Thirsty’s backWith two humps.“Thirsty, now you are one of us,” they cooed in delight.

Then Scruffy the mutt invited his dog friends —And the camels and dogs swamAnd dived into the pool.

“The first step tells the story of the journey.”

Thirsty had real friends,And everyone swam and swamFor hours on end.