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This is story is based on “How the Whale got his Throat” from “Just so Stories” by Rudyard Kipling.

Deep in the ocean blue, where the fish swim and the sea creatures play, there lived a giant whale with a huge appetite. He wasn’t picky; he ate all sorts of fish, from the shiny starfish to the twisty eel.

But there was one small, smart fish, the ‘Stute Fish, who didn’t want to be eaten. “I need to be clever to escape,” thought the ‘Stute Fish.

One day, the whale complained, “Oh, I’m so hungry, and there are no more fish left for me to eat.”

The ‘Stute Fish had an idea. “Have you ever tried eating a man?” he asked the whale.

“A man? What’s that?” the whale wondered, his interest piqued.

“Something new and tasty. But you have to go far to find one,” the ‘Stute Fish explained, directing the whale to a spot in the ocean where a mariner was stranded.

The whale, curious and hungry, swam to the spot and found the mariner. “Ahoy! Are you the man I’m supposed to eat?” the whale boomed.

“Yes, but I warn you, I might not taste as good as you think!” said the mariner, a clever man with a plan.

Ignoring the warning, the whale swallowed the mariner whole. But inside the whale’s belly, the mariner didn’t give up. He stomped and danced, making the whale terribly uncomfortable.

“Oh no! This man is too much trouble,” the whale groaned. “How do I make him stop?”

“Just ask him nicely to leave,” suggested the ‘Stute Fish from outside.

“Please leave, and stop your dancing. You’re giving me a tummy ache!” the whale pleaded.

“I will, but only if you take me back to my home,” the mariner negotiated.

With no other choice, the whale agreed and swam to the mariner’s home, eager to be rid of his troublesome guest. As they reached the shore, the mariner used his cleverness to create a lasting reminder for the whale not to eat anything too big. He carved a grate from his raft and lodged it in the whale’s throat.

“Thanks to this grate, you won’t be eating big things anymore!” the mariner declared, stepping out onto the beach.

From that day on, the whale could only eat the smallest of fish, and the ocean’s creatures lived without fear of being gobbled up. The ‘Stute Fish smiled from his hiding spot in the mud, glad that his plan had worked, and the whale learned to be careful about what he wished for.

And that’s the story of how the whale got his throat, a tale of curiosity, cleverness, and a little bit of trouble in the deep blue sea.