Vishnu Sharma
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India

The Elephant and the Sparrow

An arrogant elephant is taught a lesson by small forest creatures after causing chaos and destroying a sparrow's nest.
Consequences
Humility
Teamwork
Panchatantra Fables - The Elephant and the Sparrow
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a dense forest, there lived an elephant who was very strong and powerful. He was very proud of his size and strength. He would roam around the forest, causing chaos and destruction wherever he went. He would break trees, trample bushes, and create a mess in the forest.

One day, the elephant came across a small sparrow nesting on a branch of a tree. The sparrow had just laid her eggs, and she was very protective of them. When the elephant reached the tree, he began shaking it violently for no reason, just to show off his strength. The sparrow's nest fell from the tree, and her eggs broke.

The sparrow was devastated and heartbroken. She knew that she was not strong enough to fight the elephant, but she was determined to teach him a lesson. The sparrow sought the help of her friends in the forest. She went to the woodpecker, the frog, and the bee, and together, they devised a plan to teach the elephant a lesson.

First, the woodpecker flew to the elephant and began pecking at his eyes, blinding him. The elephant was in pain, but he was too big and strong to be defeated by a small woodpecker. Next, the bee flew around the elephant, stinging him repeatedly. The elephant became even more irritated, but he still did not give up.

Finally, the frog came forward with his part of the plan. He started croaking loudly near a muddy pit. The blind and irritated elephant, hearing the noise and thinking it was the source of his troubles, charged towards the sound. As he reached the edge of the pit, he slipped and fell in, unable to get out.

In the end, the small sparrow and her friends had taught the mighty elephant a lesson. The elephant, once powerful and proud, was humbled by the combined efforts of the small creatures in the forest.

In a forest more tangled than a bowl of spaghetti, an elephant with muscles as big as watermelons liked to strut his stuff. He'd barge around like he owned the place, knocking over trees and squashing bushes. He was the big guy in town, and everyone knew it!

One bright and cheery day, this elephant lumbered over to a tree where a sparrow had just laid her eggs. Just for fun, he shook the tree like it was a giant maraca. "Shake, rattle, and roll!" he laughed. But oh dear, down went the nest, and crack went the eggs.

The sparrow was flustered but full of fire. "Well, butter my beak, that wasn't very nice!" she chirped. She knew she couldn't wrestle the elephant, but she had something even better: friends!

Off she zipped to the woodpecker, the frog, and the bee. Together, they huddled and plotted, giggling and whispering.

First, the woodpecker played a game of "Peekaboo" with the elephant's eyes. "Hey, stop that, you ticklish twigpecker!" the elephant cried, but he couldn't shake the little guy.

Next, the bee buzzed in, doing the cha-cha-cha all over the elephant's skin. "Ouchie, ouchie, ouchie!" the elephant grumbled. "That tickles!"

Then came the frog's turn. He croaked like he was singing in the shower, right next to a muddy pit. The elephant, now all confused, charged towards the sound. "I'll teach you to make a racket, you... YIKES!" Whoosh! Into the pit he went, splat and splatter.

The sparrow and her buddies high-fived. They'd done it! They'd taught the big, bumbling elephant that being strong doesn't mean you're always right.

And as for the elephant? He sat there in the mud, looking quite silly, realizing that sometimes, it's better to be kind than to be the king of the forest.

Deep within the woods where secrets lie,
A mighty elephant, strong and spry,
Felt so proud of his brawny might,
Causing chaos from morning to night.

With a stomp and a crash, he'd make trees fall,
Trampling bushes, not caring at all,
His large frame brought both fear and dismay,
To creatures who crossed his path each day.

A small sparrow, gentle and kind,
With her eggs, a nest she'd designed,
Saw the elephant's approach one day,
Fearing what might be swept away.

With a shake and a shove, he flexed his might,
The nest fell, eggs broken, a sorrowful sight,
The sparrow's heart ached, her dreams all torn,
But a spark of courage in her was born.

Seeking help from woodpecker, frog, and bee,
Together they'd make the elephant see,
Strength's not in size, but in friends who care,
A lesson they'd teach, both firm and fair.

The woodpecker pecked at the elephant's eyes,
The mighty beast roared in painful surprise,
The bee then stung him, a furious dance,
Yet the elephant's pride had not a chance.

The frog then croaked by a muddy pit's edge,
Luring the elephant to a slippery ledge,
With a crash and a splash, he slipped and fell,
Trapped in the mud, a humbling spell.

The sparrow's small friends had proved that day,
Together, they'd have the final say,
The mighty were humbled, the small stood tall,
In the heart of the woods, love conquered all.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the elephant behaved the way he did, causing chaos and destruction in the forest?
  2. How did the sparrow feel when her eggs were broken, and what did she decide to do about it?
  3. How did the small creatures of the forest, like the sparrow, the woodpecker, the bee, and the frog, work together to teach the elephant a lesson?
  4. What does this story teach us about the power of teamwork and the consequences of being thoughtlessly proud and destructive?
  5. Can you think of a situation where you or someone you know worked together with others to solve a problem or overcome a challenge?

Fable Quotes

Actions have consequences, and even the mightiest can fall when their choices bring destruction.
True strength lies not in size or power, but in the humility to learn and grow.
Unity among even the smallest can conquer the mightiest, for teamwork knows no boundaries.
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