Priče za djecu

The stories are written in the style of oral storytelling, with repetition, rhythm and a "just so" refrain - as if a father were telling his child "how things came to be just that way". Each explains the origin of an animal, object or custom in an imaginative, absurd and instructive way, combining humour, fairy-tale style and Kipling's knowledge of India, Africa and the animal world.

From the table of contents (selected for this edition):

• How the Whale Got a Throat - the whale swallowed a sailor who had made a wooden grate in its throat.
• How the Camel Got a Hump - the camel was lazy and muttered "humph!", so the Desert Genie gave it a hump as punishment.
• How the Rhinoceros Got a Skin - the rhinoceros ate a man's cake, so its skin became wrinkled and full of wrinkles.
• How the Leopard Got Spots - to better hide in the forest.
• How the First Letter Was Written - an explanation of letters and mail.
• The Self-Living Cat – a story about an independent cat and his agreement with people.
• The First Butterfly – and other smaller stories about the origin of things.

The stories are full of wordplay, repetition ("O my best beloved...") and wise but entertaining messages about obedience, curiosity and nature. Kipling uses exotic motifs (India, Africa), animal characters and gentle humor – children learn about the world through laughter and wonder. The book is enriched by the author's illustrations.