The Elephant Child by D. Wallace Peach

S5 E18: The Elephant Child by D. Wallace Peach ©An elephant child, carefree and wildWalked into the wintry woodsHe followed fox tails and jackrabbit trailsIgnoring his mother’s “shoulds”Of course, he got lost and chilled by the frostAs night began to fallTo his rump he sunk and tooted his trunkBut no one answered his callOh, that cold night, to the elephant frightThe clouds began to snowHe sniffled and shivered, shook and quiveredHis nose he needed to blowThe blizzard swirled and snowflakes twirledHe plodded on wobbly kneesHis head grew stuffy, the snow so fluffyHe blew out a honking sneezeLosing hope, he started to mopeWhen in an evergreen treeHe spied a house, just right for a mouseAnd he let go a trumpet of gleeAlas the place hadn’t the spaceTo fit an elephant’s bulkThe lost little guy plunked down for a cryHis head hung low in a sulkThe house was quite nice, chock full of miceWho whispered quiet and lowWhat was that? Did you hear a cat?Lurking out in the snow?Across the wood floor, they dashed to the doorFlicked on the outside lightIn a rodent flurry, they squeaked and scurriedAn elephant! What a sight!Let’s offer a seat for a tea and a treatSaid a mouse who felt overly boldI think he is lost so covered in frostAnd surely his ears are cold.Full of care and courage to spareThey crawled out on a limbThey slipped on the ice those brave little miceAnd their mission turned quite grimBut they held on tight with all their mightAnd called to the elephantCome in from the storm, come in and get warmBut the elephant said I can’t!Though I’m only four, I’ll bust the doorI’ll break the branch from the treeI’ll crack your stairs and squash your chairsI’m far too heavy, you see.You have to try, hurry in and dryGet up! Please give it a go!The elephant groaned, he mumbled and moanedThough he longed to get out of the snow.With strength galore, he pushed on the doorThe tree branch started to bendThe home nearly fell, and the mice had to yellPlease stop, or we’re end-over-end!The elephant frowned as the flakes tumbled downHis trunk a bright shade of blueOh, what a glitch, mice-whiskers did twitch.What were the rodents to do?Now, due to their size, mice aren’t very wiseTheir brains are as tiny as seedsThey may not be smart, but they have lots of heartAnd sometimes that’s all that you need.They sketched out a plan as only mice canAnd piled his back with sweatersAnd blankets and sheets, and curtains with pleatsTiny coats of wool and black leatherWith the elephant warm, and safe from all harmThey dialed their old-fashioned phoneWe’re seeking his mother, a father or brother!This elephant’s all alone!Well what do you know, because of the snowHis parents were suffering fitsThey dashed to him fast and hugged him at lastAnd stayed for some tea and biscuits.Thus ends the plight of the elephant’s nightBe careful when out in the woodsYou might meet some mice who are caring and niceBut just in case…Remember your mother’s shouldsPoem by D. Wallace PeachRecitation by D. Wallace PeachPhotography by Rebecca BuddMusic by Howard Harper-Barnes “A Leaf Falls” #EpidemicSoundhttps://www.epidemicso...