Elephant's Child
📘 About This Book
Because of his ""'satiable curtiosity"" about what the crocodile has for dinner, the elephant's child and all elephants thereafter have long trunks.
📖 Summary
Rudyard Kipling's timeless tale Elephant's Child takes readers back to a mythical era when elephants did not yet possess their signature long trunks. Instead, the protagonist is a young elephant characterized by an insatiable curiosity, always asking bothersome questions about everything in the world around him. His family members frequently spank him for his endless inquiries, yet his quest for knowledge remains unquenched. The narrative reaches its turning point when the curious little elephant asks a question about what the crocodile has for dinner. Directed toward the great grey-green Limpopo River, the elephant's child sets off on a fateful journey to find out for himself, unaware of the physical transformation and adventure that awaits him along the riverbanks. Upon arriving at the murky waters, he encounters the deceptive crocodile, who whispers that he will tell him the answer if the young elephant comes closer. As the innocent creature leans in, the crocodile seizes him by the nose. A tremendous tug-of-war ensues between the tenacious reptile pulling from the river and the young elephant pulling back with all his might. While the elephant manages to escape, his nose is stretched to an astonishing length in the process. At first, the elephant's child is dismayed by his newly elongated snout, but he quickly discovers its remarkable practical uses. The trunk allows him to cool himself off with water, pull down delicious fruit from high branches, and swat away bothersome flies. When he eventually returns home to his family, he demonstrates these new advantages, prompting the other elephants to venture down to the Limpopo River to acquire long trunks of their own. Through this whimsical origin story, Kipling crafts a delightful exploration of how inquiry and adventure can forever change the course of nature, leaving readers charmed by the clever explanation for why elephants look the way they do today.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Engaging and whimsical storytelling style by a classic author
Creative explanation for the origin of the elephant's trunk
Promotes the value of curiosity and asking questions
Quick and memorable read for audiences of all ages
⚠️ Cons
Features old-fashioned and sometimes repetitive phrasing
Brief page count may leave readers wanting a more expansive story
✍️ About the Author
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English author and Nobel Prize laureate known for 'The Jungle Book' and poems such as 'If—', reflecting his experiences in British India.
View all books →❓ FAQ
What is the main character known for in the story? +
The elephant's child is famous for his insatiable curiosity and endless questions.
Why does the elephant's child travel to the Limpopo River? +
He travels there to find out what the crocodile has for dinner.
How does the elephant get his long trunk? +
His nose is stretched during a tug-of-war with a crocodile along the riverbank.
How does the elephant initially feel about his new trunk? +
He is initially surprised and concerned, but quickly discovers its many useful applications.
What happens to the other elephants at the end of the story? +
They travel to the Limpopo River to get long trunks of their own after seeing the benefits.
