The Girl and the Elephant

Priya has been saving her allowance for weeks to spend a special day at an elephant sanctuary, and she can hardly wait to see the elephants. When Mrs. Rao greets her at the gate, Priya steps into a world of flapping ears, swinging trunks, and the warm smell of hay and earth. There she meets Tara, a wise old matriarch with kind amber eyes and pink freckles on her trunk, and Kavi, a curious two-year-old calf who tickles Priya's braid with his short trunk.

As Priya follows Tara and Kavi through the sanctuary, she learns how elephant families care for one another. Mrs. Rao explains that elephants communicate with deep rumbles, some too low for humans to hear, and that they can talk across many miles. Priya is amazed to discover that elephants have secret voices and that they protect and guide each other for their whole lives. She sees how the older elephants stand guard while the calves nap and how they share water and dust each other with dirt. Inspired by what she has learned, Priya offers to help create a display for the visitor center. This heartwarming story by Jane MEADOW shows young readers the importance of compassion and family, and how one child's love for animals can make a difference. The tale can be read on Kids Tale Book.