MR KIPLING’S JOKE

Evening Star, Issue 18121, 10 November 1922, Page 8

MR KIPLING’S JOKE

FRENCHMAN AND ‘KIM.’

A. good story has been told of Mr. Kipling. Some years ago, coining back from America, the'famous author had a French journalist, as a fellow-traveller on tins boat. The journalist was a passionate reader of the groat man’s writings, but had never met, him. and did not know he was on tho boat. One day Kipling saw the journalist deep in ‘ Kim.’ "Do you like this book? 1 ’ ho asked, and, hearing that the reader loved tho book, Kipling began an acute criticism of the work. “Of course,” ho said,," the author has lived in. India, and knows all the local color. But how exaggerated he. is sometimes ! And how unlikely the whole story is. with so little action—and how drawn out! The writer ought to have cut out this and that ” In short, he went on so far that the journalist protested, and even became angry. “Kipling,” he said, “is above such criticism, ihe book may not be perfect, but please do not spoil my enjoyment of it!” Tho passenger withdrew with a twinkle in his eye. He was to land the next day, but before leaving the ship he asked the journalist for his copy of ‘ Kim,’ and wrote in it : “In -.emerabrance of a pleasant s , hour—tor me, oitaroFoih Mx