The Elephant's Child (poem)


Just So Stories (1902).
The Elephant's Child

I Keep six honest serving-men:
       (They taught me all I knew)
     Their names are What and Where and When
       And How and Why and Who.
     I send them over land and sea,
       I send them east and west;
     But after they have worked for me,
       I give them all a rest.

     I let them rest from nine till five.
       For I am busy then,
     As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
       For they are hungry men:
     But different folk have different views:
       I know a person smallβ€”
     She keeps ten million serving-men,
       Who get no rest at all!
     She sends β€˜em abroad on her own affairs,
       From the second she opens her eyesβ€”
     One million Hows, two million Wheres,
       And seven million Whys!


If you enjoyed this poem, try Kipling's story, The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo. We offer the whole collection of Just So Stories.