Humphrey the Camel hated the desert’s heat.
The sun blazed. The sand burned his hooves. And worst of all? Sand. Got. Everywhere.
“Ugh,” he grumbled, shaking his tail. “Why can’t camels live somewhere cool?”
Then, one blazing noon, a tiny voice squeaked, “Psst! Down here!”
Humphrey blinked. The only thing around was a small, round cactus.
“I’m Cora!” the cactus chirped.
Humphrey’s eyes widened. A talking cactus?!
Before he could respond, a tiny tear rolled down Cora’s green skin. She was crying… water!
“The desert is drying up,” she sniffled. “I can’t cry enough to help. We need the Rainstone!”
Humphrey sighed loudly. A quest? In this heat?
But Cora’s spines drooped sadly, and despite her prickly look, he couldn’t just leave her.
“Fine,” he groaned, “Hop on.”
So, with Cora balanced on his hump, they set off across the endless dunes.
The journey was full of trouble.
First, they had to outsmart tricky mirages—pools of water that vanished the moment they got close.
Then, they met a sarcastic lizard, who flicked his tail and snorted, “A camel and a cactus on a mission? This, I gotta see.”
Finally, after what felt like forever, they reached a rocky canyon.
The Rainstone was there—but it was buried in a scorpion nest!
Cora gulped. Humphrey gulped harder.
They had to be very, very careful.
With a slow, steady step, Humphrey stretched out his long neck and scooped up the stone.
The scorpions hissed, but before they could chase them, Cora did something unexpected—she sang!
Her voice was high and twinkly, like the wind through dry leaves.
Clouds gathered. Thunder rumbled. Then—WHOOSH!
Rain poured from the sky!
The desert drank deeply. Flowers bloomed. Rivers shimmered. Humphrey soaked his hooves happily.
Cora grinned. “See? You don’t hate the desert that much.”
Humphrey smirked. “You’re still prickly… but alright.”
Now, every full moon, they throw “water parties”—a grand desert festival where every thirsty creature comes to drink, dance, and celebrate.
And, for once, Humphrey doesn’t mind the sand.