The Elephant's Child

Long ago, little elephants had short, stubby noses. One little elephant had so many questions. "'Scuse me," said the little elephant. "I just must know! Why? How? What?"

He asked questions all day long. Each time, his aunts and uncles gave him a small spank. But he kept right on asking.

One morning he asked his biggest question. "What does the Crocodile eat for dinner?" His whole family gasped and spanked him again.

Sore but still curious, the little elephant walked away. He found Kolokolo Bird perched in a prickly bush. "Go to the great Limpopo River," said the bird. "Find out there!"

So the little elephant packed bananas and melons and walked many days. At last he reached the wide, muddy river.

A big snake was coiled on a rock by the river. "'Scuse me," said the little elephant. "I just must know! Have you seen a crocodile?" The snake was not happy and spanked him with his tail.

Further along, the little elephant stepped on what looked like a log. It was the Crocodile! "'Scuse me," said the little elephant. "I just must know! What do you eat?"

"Come closer," said the Crocodile. He grabbed the little elephant's nose and pulled hard. The little elephant pulled back with all his might.

The big snake from the rock rushed over to help. Together they pulled and pulled. POP! The Crocodile let go. But the little elephant's nose had stretched very long!

The little elephant sat by the cool river. He hoped his nose would shrink back. He waited three whole days, but it stayed long.

Then a fly landed on his shoulder. He lifted his long nose and flicked the fly away. His long nose was wonderful!

Slowly, the little elephant walked all the way home. His family loved his long new nose and wanted long noses too. They all made the trip to the great Limpopo River. Curious questions can lead you to wonderful surprises.