The Sing-Song of Old Man Kangaroo

The story was first told aloud by the author to his daughter Josephine as part of their oral tradition.

[1] It was then written down and first published in Ladies' Home Journal in June 1900.

[2] It involves a vain kangaroo who asks three gods to make him unlike other animals, and sought-after.

A vain kangaroo with 4 short legs longs to be different than the other animals, as well as very truly sought after.

This causes the kangaroo's hind legs and tail to be longer, as well as his fur to be red instead of gray.