In the heart of a vast, green forest, there lived a wise and gentle elephant named Eka. Eka was the largest animal in the forest, and her massive size made her an imposing figure. But despite her strength, Eka was known for her kind heart and respectful nature. She always thought about the well-being of others before making any decision.

Eka’s days were filled with helping the other animals. She would use her long trunk to pull down leaves from the tall trees for the smaller animals to eat, and she would create cool, shady spots for the birds to rest. Every time a new animal arrived in the forest, Eka made sure to welcome them and offer them a safe place to live.

One hot afternoon, Eka was wandering near the river when she saw a small group of monkeys. They were jumping from tree to tree, but they seemed worried and upset.

“What’s the matter?” Eka asked, her voice soft but full of concern.

“The river is drying up!” one of the monkeys replied. “We don’t know where to find water. Our home in the trees is getting too hot, and we don’t know where to go.”

Eka thought for a moment, her large ears flapping thoughtfully. She had lived in the forest for many years and knew that the river was a very important part of the ecosystem. Without water, many of the animals, including the monkeys, would struggle to survive.

“I understand your worry,” Eka said. “But there’s something we can do together. Let’s find another water source and make sure we all have enough to drink. We can work as a community.”

The monkeys were eager to help, so Eka led them on a journey through the forest. Along the way, they stopped to ask other animals for advice. The wise old owl told them about a hidden spring, and the beavers had heard of a place where the river flowed underground.

When they reached the hidden spring, Eka used her trunk to dig around the area, and soon the water began to flow freely. The animals cheered, and the monkeys happily climbed the trees to drink from the spring. They had enough water for everyone, and Eka was pleased that her actions had helped not just the monkeys but all the animals in the forest.

But Eka wasn’t done yet. She knew the forest was a large place, and there were many creatures who might not know about the new water source. So, she called together a meeting of all the animals. She spoke to them in her calm, respectful voice.

“I’ve found a new water source for all of us,” Eka said. “But we must all take care of it. We should use it wisely and never waste the water. Every creature, big and small, has a role to play in keeping the forest healthy. We must respect each other and the resources we share.”

The animals agreed, and from that day on, they worked together to protect the forest and its resources. The birds would warn everyone if they saw a storm coming, the deer helped find the best paths to the river, and the small animals made sure the trees were healthy. Eka led them with wisdom, always reminding them that the strength of the forest came from their unity.

One day, a young lion approached Eka and said, “You’re the biggest and strongest animal in the forest, but you never act as if you’re better than anyone else. You always think about the good of the whole forest. That’s why everyone respects you.”

Eka smiled kindly at the young lion. “It’s not strength that makes a leader, but the ability to listen, care for others, and respect the needs of the community. We all have something valuable to contribute, no matter our size.”

The lion nodded, understanding Eka’s wisdom. He promised to follow her example, thinking of others before himself.

From then on, the forest flourished, and all the animals lived in harmony, respecting each other and the environment. Eka’s actions had taught them the importance of working together and caring for the world around them.

Moral:

Respecting others and thinking of the community first helps create a strong, harmonious world for everyone. The story also teaches respect for the community, the environment, and the importance of caring for others, as Eka leads with a respectful and selfless attitude.

Parenting Tip: Use Eka’s story to teach your child the importance of kindness, teamwork, and respect for the environment. Discuss how one individual’s actions can have a positive impact on a whole community. Encourage your child to think about ways they can contribute to the wellbeing of their family, school, or neighborhood.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids:

• Why do you think Eka is so respected by the other animals?
• What would have happened if Eka didn’t help the monkeys find water?
• How can you help take care of the environment, like Eka did for the forest?
• Why do you think it’s important for everyone in a community to work together?
• How do you feel when you help others, just like Eka helped the animals?
• What are some ways you can be kind to others, no matter how big or small they are?
• If you were Eka, what would you do to make sure the animals are taken care of?
• What lessons can we learn from Eka’s respectful and thoughtful attitude?
• How did the animals work together to protect the water source? Can you think of a time you worked as a team?
• How can we make sure that we never waste resources, like water, in our own lives?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Elephants

1. Elephants are known as “keystone species” because they play a crucial role in maintaining the health of their ecosystem. By knocking down trees, they help create open spaces that benefit other animals.
2. An elephant’s trunk can hold up to 8 liters of water, allowing them to drink and shower in one go!
3. Elephants are excellent at finding water, even in the driest of places, thanks to their keen sense of smell.
4. A herd of elephants is led by a matriarch, the oldest and wisest female, just like Eka’s leadership in the forest.
5. In the wild, elephants are known for their strong social bonds and are very protective of one another, especially the younger members of the herd.
6. Elephants communicate with each other using low-frequency sounds called “infrasound,” which can travel for miles through the forest.
7. Elephants can live for up to 60–70 years, and they have excellent memories, allowing them to recall important information such as the locations of water sources and safe paths.

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!