Traditional
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India

The King's White Elephant

Carpenters aid a wounded Elephant who then helps them; his son follows suit until the king claims the white Elephant and cares for it.
Kindness
Gratitude
Friendship
Jataka Tales - The King's White Elephant
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a village beside a river and a vast forest, a group of carpenters lived. Each day, they would row their boats to the forest, chop down trees and shape them into lumber for their work.

One beautiful morning, a limping Elephant approached the carpenters while they were busy working. He could hardly walk, and his foot was swollen and painful. He lay down, and the carpenters noticed a large splinter lodged in his sore foot. Kind-hearted as they were, they carefully removed the splinter and cleaned his wound. Soon, the Elephant's foot began to heal.

Feeling grateful for their kindness, the Elephant decided, "These carpenters helped me when I was in pain. Now it's my turn to help them." So, from that day onwards, the Elephant started helping the carpenters. He pulled up trees, rolled logs to the river, and even fetched tools for them. The carpenters, in return, ensured the Elephant was well-fed every day.

The Elephant had a son, a splendid young one who was as white as snow. As the Elephant was getting older, he thought, "I should introduce my son to the carpenters. They were kind to me, and now my son can help them in return." He explained to his son how the carpenters had taken care of him, and introduced him to the group.

The white Elephant followed his father's advice and began assisting the carpenters. Just like his father, he was well-fed by the grateful carpenters. After work, the young Elephant loved to play with the carpenters' children by the river, picking them up with his trunk and placing them onto tree branches, and then letting them climb down onto his back. They had lots of fun together.

One day, the king was passing by the river and noticed the stunning white Elephant working with the carpenters. He was taken by its beauty and strength and immediately decided he wanted the Elephant to be his. He paid the carpenters a hefty price and took the Elephant with him. The Elephant looked back at his friends, the children, one last time before leaving with the king. The king, amazed by his new Elephant, ensured he was well taken care of for the rest of his life.

Once upon a time—or maybe it was a sunny Tuesday, there was this village next to a big river and a huge forest. Now, this village was filled with carpenters. But listen, these weren't your usual hammer-and-nail folks; they were like the superheroes of building stuff! Every day they'd get in their boats, zoom over to the forest, and go all-out—chopping trees and making boards like there was no tomorrow.

So, on this really, really nice morning—the sun was shining like a big yellow smiley face—an Elephant comes limping in. Oh, he's cool but walking funny, dragging his foot like he's making up a new dance called the "Ouchie Walk."

He lies down, and the carpenters are like, "Whoa, buddy, what happened to your foot?" And guess what? They find a splinter as big as a toy sword stuck in his foot. Being the nice guys they are, they carefully pull it out and clean the wound. The Elephant, now walking like a champ, thinks, "Alright, they helped me, now it's my turn. Time to lend a trunk or two!" So, he starts helping the carpenters. He's pulling down trees like they're giant Jenga blocks, rolling logs like they're big rolling pins, and fetching tools as if he's playing a game of fetch. He's basically the Best Helper Ever.

Now, Big Elephant has a kiddo, a little guy who's so white he looks like a snowman. As time goes on, Big Elephant decides, "My son should meet my handy-dandy friends. Share the love, you know?"

He tells his son the whole story, and the young one gets excited. "I wanna help too!" he says. So, he starts helping the carpenters, and turns out, he's a natural! After work, he and the carpenters' kids play by the river. The little Elephant lifts them onto tree branches like it's a playground and everyone is laughing and having fun.

But then—dun dun dun—the king drives by and spots the young Elephant. He's like, "Whoa, that Elephant is the coolest thing ever!" He just has to have him. He gives the carpenters a bunch of gold coins and off goes the young Elephant to live in the castle.

As he's leaving, he looks back at his friends, the kids, with big, sad eyes. But hey, life at the castle isn't too bad. The king thinks he's awesome and treats him really well. And even though he's living the royal life now, the young Elephant never forgets his fun days with the carpenters and their kids.

By the river's gentle curve,
Where the tall trees serve,
Lived carpenters, skilled and true,
Rowing boats, the forest they'd pursue.

One sunlit day, while timber they did hew,
An Elephant limped into view.
Swollen foot, pain quite immense,
The carpenters noticed, they weren’t dense.

A splinter large, in the foot it did dwell,
But these carpenters, they treated him well.
They cleaned and cared, made him whole and new,
And as the days passed, his gratitude grew.

"I was helped when hurt," the Elephant thought,
"These kind humans, a lesson they've taught."
So he aided them, each and every day,
Pulling logs, fetching tools, in every way.

His son, pure as snow, in the sunlight did gleam,
"Help these carpenters," was the old Elephant's dream.
So the tale was told, from father to son,
Of kindness repaid, and deeds well done.

The white Elephant, eager to please,
Worked with carpenters, under the trees.
Playing with children, laughter filled the air,
Climbing his back, branches, everywhere.

But then came the king, so grand and so high,
The white Elephant caught his mighty eye.
With gold and jewels, the king did pay,
To take the Elephant, with him to stay.

One last look, to his friends by the stream,
The white Elephant left, a new royal dream.
Though palace walls, around him did rise,
He was remembered, under the blue skies.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you think the Elephant felt when the carpenters helped him, and why did he decide to help them in return?
  2. What did the Elephant teach his son about gratitude and helping others?
  3. Can you think of a time when you helped someone, or someone helped you, and how did that make you feel?
  4. Why do you think the king wanted to have the white Elephant, and how did he show his care towards the Elephant?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story to appreciate and return acts of kindness in our daily lives?

Fable Quotes

Kindness is a bridge that connects hearts, forging bonds that withstand the test of time.
Gratitude bridges the gap between kindness received and kindness given, nurturing bonds that endure.
True friendship blossoms when kindness bridges the gap, creating bonds that withstand time and distance.
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