Stories · Curiosities · Questionable Ideas · Rather a Lot of Imagination · Farah Sam · Author & Creator ·
The Incident of the Grumpy Camel
I log the terrifying moment we met Aunt Cleo and a long-necked beast named Barnaby who mistook Granny’s hat for a light snack.
MAX SPARKLY DIARIES JOURNAL
Max Sparkly
6/9/20261 min read
Max’s Diary-Style Journal Entry
June 9th — The Camel Post, Near Giza Aunt Cleo was leading a row of very shaggy, very bad-tempered camels to transport our equipment. "Welcome, little scribes!" she roared, giving me a thump on the back that nearly dislodged my spectacles.
She assigned me a beast named 'Barnaby'. Riding a camel is like sitting on a very tall, very hairy armchair that has suddenly decided to have a mind of its own. It sways from side to side in a most extraordinary way. From my high vantage point, I attempted to calculate the engineering logistics of how the ancient Egyptians managed the transport slope without modern pulleys, but the muddle began before I could finish my sum.
Barnaby decided that Granny Maple’s floral sun-hat looked like a scrumptious breakfast. He reached out his long, wrinkly neck and took a large bite out of the brim!
"Bless my soul, he's a hat-eating monster!" Granny laughed, pulling the hat back.
Tilly was beside herself, giggling uncontrollably and trying to feed Barnaby her ginger nuts. When Aunt Cleo wasn't looking, Tilly whispered to me, "Max, if camels store water in their humps, does Barnaby have lemonade in his?" I stared at her. It was an alarmingly logical question that made my head hurt. Meanwhile, Sir Bark-A-Lot leapt out of his basket and attempted to bite Barnaby's furry ankle, causing the entire row of camels to spit simultaneously. Frightful chaos!
This animal is far too tall.
And remarkably rude.
Crumbs. I hope he doesn't eye my school cap next.
Explorer’s Notes
OFFICIAL LOG: Report on desert quadrupeds. Frightfully tall specimens.
Expedition Crew Added: Aunt Cleo (The Brave One). An absolute brick.
Topographical Note: The angle of camel suspension is entirely un-suited for precise mapping.
Sir Bark-A-Lot's Crime: Sentenced to five minutes of lead-walking for camel-bothering.
Tilly’s Status: Giggling uncontrollably and trying to feed Barnaby her ginger nuts.