How The Rhinoceros Got His Skin | Just So Stories

This story revolves around a Parsee, who lives alone on a secluded island by the Red Sea, and a poorly mannered Rhinoceros. The Parsee bakes a large and delicious cake, only for the Rhinoceros to come along and rudely eat it, much to the Parsee's dismay. In retribution, the Parsee fills the Rhinoceros's skin with cake crumbs when the animal removes it for a swim. Once the Rhinoceros puts his skin back on, the crumbs cause him unbearable discomfort, leading him to rub and scratch until his skin forms folds. This tale humorously explains the reason for the unique appearance of rhinoceroses, symbolizing that bad manners and thoughtlessness may lead to inconvenient consequences.