In a large and leafy forest, there lived a big, gentle elephant who was lonely and wanted to make friends. He tried to play with the rabbits, but they ran away, scared of his size. He approached the monkeys, but they quickly climbed up the trees to hide. Even the deer kept their distance, worried that he might accidentally hurt them.

The elephant felt sad, but he didn’t give up. He started walking more softly and speaking gently to show he meant no harm. Slowly, the animals noticed how careful and kind he was. The rabbits hopped closer, the monkeys climbed down, and the deer began to trust him.

Before long, the elephant and the other animals were playing together every day. They laughed and had fun, and the forest was filled with joy.

The elephant showed everyone that kindness can help make even the biggest differences disappear.

Moral:

Kindness can bridge differences.

Additional Lessons:

• Kindness: The elephant shows kindness by being gentle and patient with the other animals, which helps him form friendships.
• Friendship: The story revolves around the elephant’s journey to make friends and the bond he forms with the animals in the forest.

Parenting Tip: Teach your child the importance of kindness and understanding, especially when making new friends. Highlight how gentle actions and patience, like the elephant’s, can help build trust and create meaningful relationships.

Fun Questions for Curious Kids

• Why do you think the animals were scared of the elephant at first?
• How did the elephant show the other animals that he was kind?
• What would you do to make a new friend if they were unsure about you?
• Why is it important to be kind to everyone, no matter how different they are?
• Can you think of a time when you made a new friend by being kind?
• What fun games do you think the animals played together?
• If you were an elephant, which animal would you want to be your best friend?
• How can you show kindness to someone new at school or in your neighborhood?

Did You Know? Fun Animal Facts!

Here are some fun facts about elephants:

1. Elephants are the largest land animals. They can weigh up to 6,000 kilograms (13,227 pounds) and stand about 3 meters (10 feet) tall at the shoulder.
2. Elephants have powerful trunks. Their trunks, made of over 40,000 muscles, can lift heavy logs or pick up something as tiny as a peanut.
3. Elephants live in family groups. These herds are led by the oldest female, called the matriarch, who guides and protects the group.
4. Elephants can talk over long distances. They use low-frequency rumbles called infrasounds, which travel miles to communicate with others.
5. Elephants are great swimmers. They can paddle for long distances and use their trunks as snorkels to breathe while crossing deep water.
6. Elephants have thick but sensitive skin. Their skin is about 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) thick, yet they can feel even a tiny fly landing on them.
7. Elephants eat a lot of plants. Their diet includes grass, leaves, bark, and fruits, and they can consume up to 150 kilograms (330 pounds) of food daily.
8. Elephants show their emotions. They can express happiness, sadness, and even grief, similar to the way humans feel.
9. Elephants have the longest pregnancies. A mother elephant carries her baby for about 22 months before giving birth to a single calf.
10. Elephants have big ears to stay cool. They flap their large ears to fan themselves and release body heat in hot weather.
11. Elephants have amazing memories. They can remember other elephants, places, and water sources even after many years.
12. Elephants are endangered. Habitat loss and poaching for their tusks have caused their populations to decline, putting them at risk.
13. Elephants are symbols of good luck. In many cultures, they represent wisdom, strength, and positive energy.
14. Elephants greet each other with their trunks. When meeting a friend after a long time, they intertwine trunks to say hello!

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!