The Elephant and the Shiny River | Short Stories in English | Elephant Story for Kids

 

In a bright green jungle lived a young elephant named Oli. He loved to stomp, stomp, STOMP and flap, flap, FLAP his big ears. “I am the strongest! I am the biggest!” he trumpeted every day. The monkeys giggled and chattered, but sometimes they hid behind the trees.

One sunny morning, Oli wandered farther than ever. The jungle smelled like honey and flowers, and butterflies danced around his trunk. Suddenly, he spotted something shiny-a river that sparkled like a million stars!

Oli ran to the edge. Splash! The water tickled his toes. But wait… something moved! Something big… something just like him!

“Oh!” Oli gasped. “Who are you?”

The elephant in the river lifted his trunk when Oli lifted his. He stepped back when Oli stepped back. Oli stomped once, then twice. Stomp! Stomp! Splash! The river elephant stomped too!

Oli felt nervous. Was this a magical ghost? Or another elephant? He didn’t know. Then he remembered what his mama always said: “Be kind, even when you’re unsure.”

Oli took a deep breath, swished his tail, and bowed politely. “Hello, I’m Oli,” he said. Slowly, the river elephant bowed back.

“Hello!” Oli whispered happily. “We’re… the same!”

Soon they were splashing, stomping, and trumpeting together. The water glittered, butterflies cheered, and jungle birds sang along.

When Oli returned to the jungle, he didn’t brag. Instead, he helped monkeys reach high fruit, let birds rest on his back, and shared his favorite muddy puddles. Oli realized that being kind and sharing made him feel bigger inside than stomping ever did.

That night, under twinkling leaves, Oli dreamed of rivers, sparkling water, and his new magical friend. He knew that courage, curiosity, and kindness could turn even a scary river into a happy place.

Lesson: True strength comes from kindness, courage, and sharing with others.

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