Traditional
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India

The Elephant and The Dog

A king's elephant and a dog form a friendship, are suddenly separated, but they are reunited by the king and live happily.
Friendship
Unity
Loyalty
The Elephant and The Dog
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there was a king who loved animals, especially a big elephant. He made a huge home for the elephant and asked a caretaker to take care of the elephant, making sure it had yummy food every day to stay healthy.

One day, a little dog came into the elephant's home. The elephant was resting but saw the dog eat some of his food. The elephant didn’t mind and shared his food. Soon, the elephant and the dog became best friends. The dog started living in the elephant's home, and the caretaker let it stay. The dog got healthy too.

A farmer saw the dog and wanted to buy it. He offered the caretaker money for the dog. The caretaker, even though the dog wasn't his, took the money and gave the dog to the farmer.

When the dog left, the elephant got very sad. He missed his friend and wouldn’t eat or drink, getting weaker. The king heard the elephant was sick and came fast to see what was wrong.

The caretaker didn’t tell the king the truth because he was scared of getting in trouble for selling the dog. So, he acted like he didn’t know why the elephant was sad. The king's doctor came to check on the elephant but couldn’t figure out why he was so sad. The king’s helpers asked around and found out about the elephant’s dog friend who was missing.

The king asked for help to find the dog. They told everyone in the kingdom that bringing back the dog would get a big prize.

The farmer who took the dog heard this and brought the dog back to the king. He told the king he got the dog from the caretaker. The caretaker said sorry for selling the dog. The king was happy and said the dog and elephant should be together. He also said the caretaker should give the farmer his money back and take care of both the dog and elephant.

Seeing his friend again made the elephant very happy. They had a big meal together and were happy to be together again.

There is a king. The king likes animals. He has a big elephant. The elephant is the king's favorite. The king makes a big house for the elephant. A man takes care of the elephant. The man gives the elephant good food every day.

One day, a small dog comes to the elephant's house. The elephant is resting. The elephant sees the dog. The dog eats some of the elephant's food. The elephant is happy. The dog is happy. They become friends. The dog stays with the elephant. The man says it is okay, so the dog gets good food every day too.

One day, a farmer sees the dog. The farmer wants the dog. The farmer gives money to the man. The man gives the dog to the farmer.

The elephant becomes sad. The elephant misses the dog. The elephant stops eating and drinking. The king hears about this and comes to see the elephant.

The man does not tell the king the truth. He is afraid. The king asks the doctor for help, but the doctor does not know why the elephant is sad. Then, the king’s helpers find out about the dog and tell the king.

The king wants to find the dog. The king says, “Bring the dog back. I will give a big reward.”

The farmer hears this and brings the dog back to the king. The farmer says, “I got the dog from the man.” The man says, “I am sorry.” The king is now happy and says, “The dog and the elephant will stay together. The man will take care of both.”

The elephant and the dog are happy. They eat a big meal and live together again.

Once upon a time, in a big kingdom, there was a king who loved animals. His favorite animal was a huge elephant. The king built a big house for the elephant and chose a caretaker to make sure the elephant was always well-fed and happy.

One sunny day, a small dog wandered into the elephant's house. The elephant, who was resting, saw the dog eating some of his food. The elephant didn't mind and shared his food with the dog. Soon, the elephant and the dog became close friends. The dog decided to stay in the elephant's house, and the caretaker allowed it, happy to see the dog getting healthier.

One day, a farmer saw the dog and wanted to take it home. He offered the caretaker some money for the dog. The caretaker, even though he wasn't supposed to, took the money and let the farmer take the dog away.

After the dog left, the elephant felt very lonely and sad. He missed his little friend so much that he stopped eating and drinking, which made him weak. When the king found out, he went to see what was wrong.

The caretaker was afraid to tell the king the truth, so he pretended he didn't know why the elephant was unhappy. The king sent his doctor to check on the elephant, but the doctor couldn't understand why the elephant was sad. Then, the king’s helpers asked people about the missing dog.

The king wanted to help. He announced that anyone who could bring the dog back would get a great reward. The farmer who had the dog heard this and brought the dog back to the king. He told the king how he got the dog from the caretaker.

The caretaker apologized for his mistake. The king was happy to see the dog and elephant together again. He decided the dog should always stay with the elephant. He made sure the caretaker gave the farmer's money back and took good care of both the dog and the elephant.

The elephant and his dog friend were very happy. They had a big meal and lived happily together in their big house.

Once upon a time, in a kingdom not too far from here, there was a king who was crazy about animals. I mean, he didn't just like them; he was obsessed! His favorite of all was this massive elephant, which, to be honest, was more like a fluffy mountain than an actual animal. The king built a palace for this elephant, not just any old place, but a proper mansion with more rooms than you have socks. And he appointed a caretaker to ensure this elephant had the very best of snacks - we're talking gourmet leaves and premium water.

One sunny afternoon, as the elephant was chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool, a tiny dog waltzed into the elephant's pad. Now, this wasn't just any dog; it was the kind of dog that could win a "who's got the most confident walk" contest. The elephant, being the gentle giant he was, didn't mind sharing his fancy snacks. Before you could say "unlikely friendships," the elephant and the dog became the best of pals, the kind of friends you see in epic road trip movies.

The dog moved in, and the caretaker was cool with it because, let's face it, who can say no to those puppy eyes? The dog got plump and healthy, living the high life with his big buddy.

Enter a farmer, who saw the dog and thought, "Wow, that's a top-notch doggo. I gotta have it." He offered the caretaker a stack of cash for the dog. Now, the caretaker, forgetting his job description included the word "care," took the money and handed over the dog. Classic mix-up, right?

When the dog left, the elephant turned into a real sad sack. He missed his tiny friend so much that he lost his appetite and started moping around, looking like he lost his last peanut.

Hearing his prized elephant was under the weather, the king zoomed over, expecting to solve the problem like a classic detective. The caretaker, doing his best impression of someone who's lost their memory, acted clueless about the whole situation.

The king, not one to give up, called in the royal doctor, who was baffled. He tried everything - even elephant yoga - but nope, the elephant just wasn't cheering up.

The royal grapevine finally buzzed with the tale of the elephant's missing BFF. The king, in a move that would make any reality show host proud, announced a kingdom-wide "Bring Back The Dog" competition, with a prize that made everyone's eyebrows hit their hairline.

The farmer, seeing the chance for fame and fortune (and maybe feeling a pinch of guilt), brought the dog back to the castle, spilling the beans about the caretaker's quick sale.

The caretaker, now looking like he wished for an invisibility cloak, apologized. The king, in his wisdom, declared that the elephant and dog were the real MVPs and needed to stick together. He also decided that the caretaker should refund the farmer and, from then on, look after both the dog and the elephant.

The reunion of the elephant and the dog was like the final scene of every feel-good movie you've ever seen. They feasted like kings themselves, proving once and for all that friendships, no matter how mismatched, are the real treasure. And they all lived happily, with the occasional hiccup, but mostly just a lot of laughs and good times.

In a kingdom where laughter rings and birds sing,
Lived a king who loved animals more than anything.
His favorite, a giant elephant, grand and wise,
Lived in a palace under sunny skies.

The elephant's home was wide and vast,
With yummy treats, a real blast.
A caretaker watched over this gentle beast,
Making sure its happiness never ceased.

One sunny day, a little dog, so small and spry,
Came to the elephant's palace under the sky.
It nibbled on food, with a tiny little chew,
The elephant smiled and said, "There's enough for you!"

From then on, they were the best of friends,
Playing and laughing, setting new trends.
The caretaker smiled, letting the dog stay,
In the elephant's palace, day after day.

But change came along, in a farmer's stride,
He saw the dog and wanted it by his side.
He gave the caretaker gold, shiny and bright,
Who forgot what was wrong and what was right.

He sold the dog, not his to give,
In a moment of greed, not the way to live.
The elephant cried, feeling lonely and sad,
Missing the little dog, the best friend it had.

The king noticed his elephant's tears,
And rushed to help, calming its fears.
The caretaker hid the truth, feeling the dread,
While the elephant's heart felt heavy as lead.

The king's wise men, they asked and sought,
Until the truth was found, as it ought.
They learned of the dog, the elephant's dear friend,
And knew they must bring this sadness to an end.

The king announced to the land, both near and far,
"Return the dog and you'll be the brightest star!"
The farmer heard and knew what was right,
He returned the dog, ending its plight.

The elephant danced, its heart filled with glee,
Reunited with its friend, as happy as can be.
The king declared, with a heart so kind,
"The dog and elephant shall never again be unbind."

In the kingdom where dreams come true,
The elephant and dog started anew.
Together forever, in joy and fun,
Under the golden, warm sun.

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Word Finder

  1. Elephant

    A big, grey animal with a trunk.

  2. Favorite

    The one you like the most.

  3. Resting

    Not working, relaxing, or sleeping.

  4. Farmer

    A person who works on a farm.

  5. Reward

    Something you get for doing good.

  6. Together

    With each other, in one place.

  7. Truth

    What is real and correct.

  8. Misses

    Feels sad without something or someone.

  9. Helpers

    People who help others with work.

  10. Meal

    Food you eat at one time.

  1. Kingdom

    A country ruled by a king.

  2. Caretaker

    Person who looks after someone or something.

  3. Wandered

    Moved around without a specific direction.

  4. Resting

    Taking a break to relax.

  5. Close

    Having a strong and friendly relationship.

  6. Offered

    Presented something to someone for acceptance.

  7. Lonely

    Feeling sad from being alone.

  8. Pretended

    Acted in a false way to deceive.

  9. Reward

    Something given for doing a good job.

  10. Apologized

    Said sorry for doing something wrong.

Understanding Questions

  1. Who is the king's favorite animal?

    1. Dog
    2. Cat
    3. Elephant
    4. Bird
  2. What does the dog eat?

    1. The elephant's food
    2. The farmer's food
    3. The king's food
    4. The man's food
  3. Why is the elephant sad?

    1. He is hungry.
    2. He misses the dog.
    3. He is tired.
    4. He is sick.
  4. Who buys the dog from the man?

    1. The king
    2. The doctor
    3. The farmer
    4. The helpers
  5. What happens at the end of the story?

    1. The elephant leaves.
    2. The dog leaves.
    3. The king is sad.
    4. The elephant and dog are happy.
  1. Why did the elephant become friends with the dog?
  2. What did the farmer do when he saw the dog in the elephant's house?
  3. How did the king find out about the elephant's sadness?
  4. What action did the king take to find the missing dog?
  5. What did the king do to make sure the dog and elephant could stay together?
  1. What specific actions did the king take to ensure the elephant was well-cared for in the kingdom?
  2. How did the relationship between the elephant and the dog develop, and what was the caretaker's role in this?
  3. What were the consequences of the caretaker's decision to sell the dog to the farmer?
  4. How did the king and his advisors eventually learn the true reason for the elephant's sadness?
  5. What measures did the king take to fix the situation and ensure the well-being of both the elephant and the dog?

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you think made the elephant and the dog become such good friends, even though they are so different from each other?
  2. Why do you think the caretaker decided to sell the dog, and how do you think he felt after seeing the elephant so sad?
  3. The king played an important role in bringing the dog back. What does this tell us about the responsibility of leaders or those in charge?
  4. How do you think the dog felt when it was taken away from the elephant and then brought back?
  5. This story shows us how important friendship is. Can you think of a time when you helped a friend or a friend helped you?

Fable Quotes

Friendship is the bond that unites hearts, no matter how big or small.
In unity, we find strength and joy, like two pieces of a puzzle fitting perfectly.
Loyalty is the compass that always points to the heart of a friend.
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