Episode 5 of 5

The Elephants and the Mice

Even the smallest friend can be a big help.

Long ago, a group of mice lived among the ruins of an old village by a lake.
One day, a herd of elephants walked through the village on their way to drink water. Their big feet crushed many of the mice’s homes.
The king of the mice went bravely to the elephant king. “Please take another path,” he said. “And one day, we will help you too.” The elephant king smiled at the idea of tiny mice helping elephants — but he kindly agreed.
Some time later, hunters came to the forest. They caught the elephants in strong rope nets. The elephants pulled and pushed, but they could not break free.
Then the elephant king remembered the mice. He sent one elephant who had escaped to ask for help.
Hundreds of mice came running. They nibbled and gnawed at the ropes all night long, until every net was in pieces.
The elephants were free! “Thank you, little friends,” said the elephant king. “You are small, but your hearts are very big.”

Moral of the storyA friend in need is a friend indeed — no one is too small to help.

Talk about it: How did the mice help the elephants?

Learn more

Facts, a quiz and words to know

Real elephant herds are led by the oldest female, the matriarch, and not by a king.
A mouse's front teeth never stop growing, so mice gnaw all the time to keep them short. That is why they can chew through rope.
Elephants talk to each other with low rumbles that people cannot hear, and the sound can travel far.
The Sanskrit word for mouse is mushika. Ganesha's vehicle is a mouse.

Talk about it. The elephant king listened to the tiny mice. Is there someone small or quiet in your class who has good ideas?

Try it. Ask a younger child or a quiet friend what they think about a game or plan, and use their idea.

Remember: Everyone can help.

Original retellings and drawings by Rangooo.