Monday, March 30, 2009

The Elephant's Child

This is a wonderful story about an Elephant’s Child ‘who was full of insatiable curiosity’, always trying to find out more about things and other animals surrounding him. However, whenever he had a question, he would ask them openly and would get a smacking instead.
One day, out of the blue he asked ‘What does the crocodile have for dinner?’ and instead of an answer he received a full load of smacking from those around him. The Kolokolo bird however advised the Elephant’s Child to ‘Go to the banks of the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever-trees, and find out.’

With that, the Elephant’s child sets off to the grey-green, greasy Limpopo River to find his answer and the short adventure begins and he returns more knowledgeable than those who used to smack him.

I loved the style of writing used for this story, it was fun to read. I also loved the Elephant’s Childs’ character; always wanting to know more and always getting smacked in the head for asking them. My second favourite character in the Elephant’s Child is the Bi-Coloured-Python-Rock-Snake, who has a funny way of talking.
I’ve read reviews that this is a great read for children. Well, I wouldn’t know if this is true cause I don’t have kids of my own yet but the inner child in me absolutely loved it.
This is an excellent read and if you’d like to read it and share your views, please visit Classic Reader.

1 comment:

Jenne said...

I love the just-so-stories! Kipling really knows how to write! I had a copy of the Elephant's child that I read to pieces, and now i have a hardback of all of the stories. If you haven't read the others do. They are just as wonderful!

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