How the Camel Lost His Antlers Fairy Tale

Long, long ago the camel had beautiful branching antlers, while the deer had none at all. The camel was very proud of his antlers and admired them every day in the water of the lake.

One day the deer came to him. "Friend camel, tomorrow there is a feast in the forest. Lend me your antlers for one day so that I can look handsome too. I will bring them back in the evening."

The kind camel handed over his antlers. The deer put them on and bounded off to the feast. All the animals there marvelled at how handsome he was.

Evening came, but the deer did not return. He did not come the next day, nor the day after. He could not bear to give the antlers back, so he ran away to a faraway forest.

Ever since then, each time the camel drinks, he lifts his head and gazes into the distance, waiting for the deer to bring back his antlers. And the deer, they say, runs away from everyone out of shame.