ELEPHANT
WAIT: UNDERSTANDING
Elephant is a Robimal who understanding that everyone needs a turn.
Elephant’s Day at Camp
It was the first day of Summer Camp, and Elephant, with her bright, sparkling eyes, felt excited and nervous at the same time. She did not know what to expect because she had never been to camp. “I hope I can be helpful,” she thought. Elephant remembered her Aunt telling her that a good elephant is helpful, kind, and fun. Elephant so wanted to be liked and part of the group. Sometimes, she felt different than the other kids because she had such big ears that were always flapping like they had a mind of their own.
On her way to camp, Elephant walked past the vegetable patch. Then she trudged past the orchard, smelling the yummiest peaches. She also saw busy birds building new nests in the trees. Elephant thought how nice it was to belong in Robimal Town. She wondered what she could do to be helpful to the town.
Once she got to camp, the counselors told everyone to sit on the rug. Elephant tried, but she was so big, and her ears kept fluttering, so the other kids were bothered. They did not have enough space on the rug, and Duck quacked loudly when Elephant’s trunk ruffled her feathers. Counselor Flamingo stood tall at the front of the rug and saw what was happening.
She was quick to call on Elephant to help pass out supplies. Stretching her trunk overhead, Elephant gave each camp member a sack of materials. Elephant was happy she did not have to try to find a spot on the rug.
The first activity was to go outside and plant tomato seeds in the garden. “That’s a relief,” thought Elephant. She was happy she would have more space outside. Counselor Flamingo assigned everyone a partner, and Elephant got to work with Duck. “Oh no,” thought Elephant, “Duck already does not like me.”
Then Elephant remembered the words: Be helpful, kind and fun. “Okay,” thought Elephant, “I can do this.” When she saw Duck’s beautifully colored feathers, she said, “Wow Duck, your feathers are so pretty!”
Surprised, Duck looked up at Elephant and just then noticed how sweet her smile was. Duck was curious about Elephant’s trunk and wondered what it would be like if her beak was as long as Elephant’s trunk. Then she noticed Elephant's long pointed tusks and had a marvelous idea.
Elephant used her powerful tusks to dig holes in the dirt, and Duck flew over the holes to drop tomato seeds from her beak.Elephant then used her large feet to cover the seeds with more dirt. Then, Elephant gathered water from the pond and sprayed it over the planted seeds to help them grow. Duck shared her snack with Elephant when they were done.
Remembering to be fun, Elephant asked Duck, “Do you know what eats more spicy peanuts than an elephant?”
Duck answered, “No, tell me.”
Elephant replied, “Two elephants.” and they both laughed until their bellies jiggled.
When it was time to leave camp for the day, Duck turned to Elephant and said, “See you tomorrow Elephant - It was really fun meeting you today!”
Elephant beamed, knowing she had made a friend by being kind, helpful and fun!
Meet a Real Elephant!
Cool Facts: Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth, known for their impressive size, long trunks, and large ears. Their trunks are incredibly versatile and can be used for breathing, smelling, drinking, and grabbing objects. Elephants have a strong social structure and are known for their intelligence and memory.
Where They Live: Elephants are found in Africa and Asia. African elephants roam the savannas, forests, and deserts of Africa, while Asian elephants live in the forests and grasslands of Southeast Asia. They need large areas to find enough food and water.
Where They Sleep: Elephants usually sleep standing up, but they can also lie down. They sleep for about 2 to 4 hours a day, often taking short naps throughout the day and night. They find shaded areas or cool spots to rest.
Home Life and Social: Elephants live in close-knit family groups called herds, which are led by a matriarch, usually the oldest and wisest female. These herds consist of related females and their young. Male elephants leave the herd when they reach adolescence and often live solitary lives or form small bachelor groups.
Friendships: Elephants form strong bonds with their herd members. They communicate through vocalizations, body language, and even seismic signals (vibrations in the ground). They show affection by touching each other with their trunks and can form lifelong friendships.
What They Do for Fun: Elephants enjoy playing in the water, often seen splashing, swimming, and spraying water with their trunks. Young elephants are especially playful, running and chasing each other. Play is crucial for their development and social bonding.
Size of the Animal: African elephants are larger than Asian elephants. Male African elephants can weigh up to 12,000 pounds and stand about 10 to 13 feet tall at the shoulder. Female African elephants are slightly smaller. Asian elephants are generally smaller, with males weighing up to 11,000 pounds and standing about 8 to 10 feet tall.
Power Level: Elephants are incredibly strong, capable of pushing down trees and carrying heavy loads with their trunks. Their large ears help them regulate their body temperature, and their thick skin protects them from the sun and insects.
Lifespan: Elephants typically live to be around 60 to 70 years old in the wild. In captivity, with proper care, they can live even longer.
First Known: Elephants have been known to humans for thousands of years and are featured in various ancient cultures' art, mythology, and folklore. They have been revered for their strength, wisdom, and social complexity.