A very long time ago, all the animals who had tails met together. Each animal made up its mind how it would use its tail.

‘I shall use mine to keep away flies,’ said the Cow.

‘Quite right!’ said the Horse, who liked to agree with the Cow. ‘I shall do the same with my tail.’

‘I shall wag mine to show that I am pleased,’ said the Dog.

‘Then I shall wag mine when I am angry,’ said the Cat, who could never agree with the Dog.

‘I shall use mine to keep my back warm in winter-time,’ said the Squirrel.

‘I shall swing from branch to branch with mine,’ said the Monkey.

‘I shall spread mine out to show what bright colors it has,’ said the Peacock.

‘I shall bob mine up like a little white flag, to show when danger is near,’ said the Rabbit.

‘I shall use mine as an extra leg, to help me to jump,’ said the Kangaroo.

‘I shall steer myself through the water with mine,’ said the Fish.

The Tadpole did not know what to do with his little tail.

‘When I become a frog, I shall not need it at all,’ he said. ‘I shall get rid of it as soon as I grow up.’

And to this day, all these animals use their tails as they made up their minds to use them, a very long time ago.