The Elephant's Mouse Family

The Elephant's Mouse Family Jane MEADOW

In a cozy forest clearing, where tall grass swayed and wildflowers nodded, lived a very large elephant named Ellie. Her skin was soft blue-grey and wrinkled, her ears were large and floppy with pale pink edges, and her warm brown eyes always smiled. She wore a bright yellow scarf around her neck, a gift from a friend. Ellie loved to wander the forest paths, saying hello to every creature she met. 1

Nearby, under the roots of a big oak tree, lived a little mouse family. Papa Mouse had warm brown fur and a small green vest with two wooden buttons. Mama Mouse wore a red polkadot apron over her cream dress. Their tiny child, Pip, had fluffy light brown fur, oversized round ears, and a small blue knitted hat. They were happy in their snug burrow, safe and warm. 2

One morning, the sky turned dark and heavy rain began to fall. Drip, drop, splash! The rain drummed on the leaves and soaked the ground. Papa Mouse peeked out of the burrow and saw water starting to trickle down the path. "We must be careful," he said, his bright dark eyes worried. "If the rain keeps up, our burrow could flood." Mama Mouse held Pip close, her kind dark eyes gentle but concerned. 3

The rain fell harder and harder. Water began to pool around the oak tree, and a small stream crept toward the burrow's entrance. Inside, Mama Mouse kept Pip calm, singing a soft song. Papa Mouse paced back and forth, his little pink paws splashing in the puddles that seeped in. "We need help," he said. "But who can help a family of mice?" Pip looked up with big curious eyes. "Maybe someone big and kind?" 4

Just then, Ellie the elephant came splashing along the forest path. Her big floppy ears flapped in the rain, and her yellow scarf was damp but still bright. She stopped when she heard tiny, worried squeaks. She lowered her head and peered under the oak tree roots. There, she saw Papa Mouse in his green vest, Mama Mouse in her red polka-dot apron, and little Pip in his blue hat, all huddled together. 5

"Hello, little friends," said Ellie in her gentle, rumbling voice. "Why are you squeaking so sadly?" Papa Mouse stepped forward. "Our burrow is flooding, and we don't know what to do!" Ellie's warm brown eyes softened. "Don't worry," she said. "I can help you. My name is Ellie, and I'm strong enough to carry you to higher ground." Pip waved his tiny tail. "Really? You can carry us?" 6

Ellie knelt down as low as she could. "Climb onto my trunk," she said softly. Papa Mouse helped Mama Mouse and Pip onto Ellie's long trunk. Then he climbed up too, holding tight to his green vest. Ellie lifted them gently, ever so gently, and placed them on her broad back. "Hold on," she said, and she began to walk slowly through the rain, her big feet making soft splashes. 7

The rain kept falling, but Ellie moved carefully. Pip sat on her back, his oversized ears flapping in the wind. "This is fun!" he squeaked. "I can see everything from up here!" Mama Mouse smiled and held him close. Papa Mouse looked back at their burrow and sighed. "Our home," he said. "Will it be safe?" Ellie turned her head. "I have a plan," she said. "First, let's get you to higher ground." 8

Ellie carried the mouse family to a little hill nearby, where the ground was dry and safe. She set them down under a big bush. "Wait here," she said. "I'll go back and block the water from your burrow." Papa Mouse looked up at her. "But the water is rising!" Ellie smiled. "My body is big and strong," she said. "I can stand in front of the burrow and keep the water out. Don't worry." 9

Ellie hurried back to the oak tree. The water was swirling around the burrow's entrance. She planted her big feet firmly in the mud and turned her large body to face the rushing stream. She spread her floppy ears and lowered her head, making a wall with her strong blue-grey side. The water pushed and splashed, but it could not get past Ellie. She stood there, patient and steady, like a living dam. 10

Back on the hill, the mouse family watched with wide eyes. Mama Mouse clasped her little pink paws together. "She's so brave," she whispered. Papa Mouse nodded. "And so kind," he said. "She's using her strength to help us." Pip bounced up and down. "Ellie is the best!" he squeaked. They waited and watched as the rain began to slow, and the water stopped rising. 11

After a long while, the rain stopped. The sun peeked through the clouds, and the water around the burrow began to go down. Ellie stepped away from the entrance and shook her wet ears. Then she walked back to the hill to check on the mouse family. "Your home is safe now," she said. "The water didn't get inside." Papa Mouse ran to her. "Thank you, Ellie! You saved our home!" 12

Mama Mouse gave Ellie a warm smile. "We are so grateful," she said. "You used your big strong body to help us little mice." Pip tugged on Ellie's trunk. "Can I be strong like you when I grow up?" Ellie chuckled. "You already are strong, Pip," she said. "You were brave and cheerful. And remember, strength is best when it's used with kindness." Papa Mouse nodded.