The Elephant Child by D. Wallace Peach

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inD. Wallace Peach, LadyBudd, Poetry, Sunday Evening ReflectionTags:, , , ,

I am delighted to share the poem, The Elephant Child by D. Wallace Peach. I know you will enjoy hearing Diana’s voice recite this heartwarming tale of courage and resilience.

D. Wallace Peach

The Elephant Child by D. Wallace Peach

An elephant child, carefree and wild
Walked into the wintry woods
He followed fox tails and jackrabbit trails
Ignoring his mother’s “shoulds”

Of course, he got lost and chilled by the frost
As night began to fall
To his rump he sunk and tooted his trunk
But no one answered his call

Oh, that cold night, to the elephant fright
The clouds began to snow
He sniffled and shivered, shook and quivered
His nose he needed to blow

The blizzard swirled and snowflakes twirled
He plodded on wobbly knees
His head grew stuffy, the snow so fluffy
He blew out a honking sneeze

Losing hope, he started to mope
When in an evergreen tree
He spied a house, just right for a mouse
And he let go a trumpet of glee

Alas the place hadn’t the space
To fit an elephant’s bulk
The lost little guy plunked down for a cry
His head hung low in a sulk

The house was quite nice, chock full of mice
Who whispered quiet and low
What was that? Did you hear a cat?
Lurking out in the snow?

Across the wood floor, they dashed to the door
Flicked on the outside light
In a rodent flurry, they squeaked and scurried
An elephant! What a sight!

Let’s offer a seat for a tea and a treat
Said a mouse who felt overly bold
I think he is lost so covered in frost
And surely his ears are cold.

Full of care and courage to spare
They crawled out on a limb
They slipped on the ice those brave little mice
And their mission turned quite grim

But they held on tight with all their might
And called to the elephant
Come in from the storm, come in and get warm
But the elephant said I can’t!

Though I’m only four, I’ll bust the door
I’ll break the branch from the tree
I’ll crack your stairs and squash your chairs
I’m far too heavy, you see.

You have to try, hurry in and dry
Get up! Please give it a go!
The elephant groaned, he mumbled and moaned
Though he longed to get out of the snow.

With strength galore, he pushed on the door
The tree branch started to bend
The home nearly fell, and the mice had to yell
Please stop, or we’re end-over-end!

The elephant frowned as the flakes tumbled down
His trunk a bright shade of blue
Oh, what a glitch, mice-whiskers did twitch.
What were the rodents to do?

Now, due to their size, mice aren’t very wise
Their brains are as tiny as seeds
They may not be smart, but they have lots of heart
And sometimes that’s all that you need.

They sketched out a plan as only mice can
And piled his back with sweaters
And blankets and sheets, and curtains with pleats
Tiny coats of wool and black leather

With the elephant warm, and safe from all harm
They dialed their old-fashioned phone
We’re seeking his mother, a father or brother!
This elephant’s all alone!

Well what do you know, because of the snow
His parents were suffering fits
They dashed to him fast and hugged him at last
And stayed for some tea and biscuits.

Thus ends the plight of the elephant’s night
Be careful when out in the woods
You might meet some mice who are caring and nice
But just in case…
Remember your mother’s shoulds.

Reprinted with permission D. Wallace Peach©

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

202 thoughts on “The Elephant Child by D. Wallace Peach”

    2. Dave – I must tell you that I thought of Misty when Diana recited this verse!!! LOL

      “The house was quite nice, chock full of mice
      Who whispered quiet and low
      What was that? Did you hear a cat?
      Lurking out in the snow?”

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Don and I had so much fun putting this video together, Holly. I looked up all of my “snow” photos (we don’t have many snow days in Vancouver) to add the feeling of cold to go along with these lines:

      “His head grew stuffy, the snow so fluffy
      He blew out a honking sneeze”

      Liked by 2 people

  5. I must admit, that despite the exceptional beauty of D.Wallace Peach’s poetry, ergo that of “The Elephant Child” fairytale story, I did have a hard time getting my head around an elephant in the winter looking for shelter, thus so in the freezing cold and snowy weather. However, whatever the weather, and or the creatures that roam beyond reach of a tether… in and out of Lady Peach’s reach, she has written a new jewel for poetry. That which is sure to entice and awaken new interest and followers to the wonderful language of poetry!

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Thanks so much for the wonderfully poetic comment, Jean-Jacques. The poem was based on an illustration of a baby elephant in a snowstorm who was trying to find shelter in a mouse house. Not very sensical, but that’s often the nature of imagination. I’m delighted with Rebecca’s rendition and so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Alas, you are so absolutely right about the aspect of sensical, for without that it’s availability in our sadly ever mounting dangerous world, how would ,man so-called, survive long enough to even read the comfort and pleasure of your most inventive wonderful story. Thank you dear lady Peach for this beautiful poetic contribution, and with it helping to keep the child in us alive.

        Liked by 3 people

    2. I agree Jean-Jacques. The Elephant Child does entice and awaken us to the beauty and strength of poetic words. Poetry given voice goes deep into our emotional experience, which you do with your poetry recitation, Jean-Jacques. I hope that more poets will be encouraged to add their voice to the wonderful language of poetry.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I echo your suggestion, to the point of when publishing houses my awaken to broaden their field of vision so as to add verity to their stayed list of presently old and passé writers, by adding the today poetry authors.

        Liked by 2 people

  6. Well, before I read it, I assumed this poem would owe something to Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Story of the same name. Not so! But it takes its place alongside that much-loved story as an equally charming tale with a moral. Though I did rather wonder about the wintry setting.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. I’m a fan of Kipling, Margaret, but the poem is unrelated as you discovered. An illustration prompted this story-poem, and I love how Rebecca transformed it with music and a walk through the winter woods. Thanks for stopping by to watch and listen. 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

    2. I am delighted that you listened in, Margaret and for your lovely comments that compared The Elephant Child to Rudyard Kiplings Just So Story. The wintry setting reminded me of the mammoths who roomed the northern regions of Canada a few million years ago! Not certain about the mice situation/population those many years ago, but I’m certain they were there. LOL

      Liked by 2 people

      1. For one of my books, I researched Hannibal taking African elephants through the snowy Alps. Not quite this story-poem, but the imagery in my head of that epic journey has stayed with me. What an undertaking! I imagine there were mice somewhere up there too. Ha ha

        Liked by 2 people

  7. A beautiful poem from the world of fairy tales with such a beautiful voice. I have been following Diana for many years, but I didn’t know she had such a lovely and heartwarming voice. Thank you so much, dear Rebecca, for this fabulous present.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Thank you so much for the lovely comment. Yes, we’ve been following each other for years. One of the delightful things about listening to Rebecca’s recordings, for me, is hearing the voices of other bloggers. Thanks for the kind comment, and have a beautiful day.

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Diana’s voice was brilliant! Don and I were so pleased when Diana permitted us to put together this video. We had so much fun!!! Hearing the voice of the poet is a powerful experience, isn’t it?

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thanks for the kind comment, Laurie. Oh yes, and dragons and Magical Books of Everything that transport us to different times and places. It’s all lovely and there are beautiful truths in the relationships that form the foundations of the stories. ❤ Have a lovely day, my friend.

        Liked by 3 people

    3. Ah, the unlikely duo of snow and the elephant was the surprise. I found myself heading down the rabbit hole with Alice into the world of fantasy, which is Diana’s forte. I immediately thought of the woolly mammoths that ranged across Siberia and the Canadian North in the ancient past. And then I was taken back to our time with the words: Old fashioned phone and tea and biscuits. I immediately made myself a cuppa tea. Sending hugs and love back to my dear friends The Fab Four of Cley.

      Liked by 4 people

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  12. Thanks so much for sharing my poem, Rebecca. I love what you and Don did with it. The music and visuals are lovely. I’m with a large group of relatives this morning and we all got a kick listening to it. Your blog got some applause. Thanks again for your kindness and Don’s wizardry. ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Many thanks for sharing this amazing poem with us, Diana. Your voice energized the words and brought the story alive. You explored themes of diversity, courage, working together, problem solving and hope. Congratulations to your niece and her husband on their wedding. All the very best as they begin a new life together. Have a wonderful family time. Safe travels. Sending hugs!

      Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Brad. It was so kind of Rebecca to give this poem a second life, and what a doozy. I love the music and the video. Have a lovely roll into autumn, my friend, and hopefully some time before the snow falls! ❤

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Thank you so much for your visit, Martina. I love how Diana ended the poem: “But just in case…Remember your mother’s shoulds”. I think of all those times that I didn’t remember those “shoulds.” YIKES! And there were many times that I did meet up to some mice (who looked like humans) who were nice.” LOL. Sending hugs to your side of the world.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. I’ve thought of that, Sally, but need to wait for some downtime… maybe over some snowy winter. 🙂 There’s never enough time for all we want to do, is there? Thanks so much for stopping by Rebecca’s to take a peek at our collaboration. Hugs.

      Liked by 4 people

    1. Why thank you! That makes me so happy to know that your grandson might enjoy it. I wrote it for children, so that’s perfect. Thanks for stopping by Rebecca’s and for taking the time to read, watch, and listen. Have a beautiful day.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks, Sheri. I love what Rebecca did with the poem. By adding video and music, the poem/story becomes a sensory experience on multiple levels. Now it just needs illustrations. Lol. So glad you stopped by. Happy Writing!

      Liked by 3 people

  25. Thank you so much for sharing this, Rebecca. I love hearing authors read their work, but listening to a poet is even better. Hearing a poem the way the poet heard it in her head is wonderful. Diana is so talented. I really enjoyed this.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I agree that hearing poets read their work is wonderful, Dan. Of course, I had to include mice and elephant voices. Lol. I’m glad you enjoyed it, and all the work that Rebecca and Don put into bringing it here. Have a great week.

      Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks so much for taking the time to listen to the poem, Marian. I wrote this poem with children in mind, and telling a story was my goal. So thank you for the lovely comment. Have a wonderful weekend. ❤ ❤

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Thank you, Barb, for your heartwarming comments. I agree, The Elephant Child gives readers a wonderful hopeful feeling. By the way, I enjoy following your YouTube Channel. You have great videos!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww thanks, Debby. For many many decades, my recorded voice made me sound like I was ten. I was happy that this one sounded more grown up… except for the squeaky mouse voices. Lol. Thanks for the wonderful comment. Have a beautiful day. Hugs. ❤

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Marianne. I loved the idea of the mice working to find a way to help even after the first failed attempt to invite the elephant inside. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the poem. Have a wonderful day. ❤

      Liked by 2 people

  30. Gorgeous video, Rebecca, a tease of winter in September! The poem, Diana, reminds me how much poetry like this encourages and enhances baby and toddler language skills. Your fun and imagination is delightful! Mice and elephants, that classic duo, of size vs. smarts. I loved the ‘shoulds’ and ‘woods’ rhyme, indeed the whole poem. Thanks to you both for this sweet moment.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Thank you so much for the wonderful comment, Mary Jo. I rarely write rhyming poetry, but it’s perfect for children’s stories. Knowing the rhymes in Goodnight Moon was my daughter’s first intro to reading (almost forty years ago). I’m delighted that you enjoyed the poem, and I was thrilled to see it transformed here. Have a beautiful September day. ❤

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Thank you for your insightful comments, Mary Jo. Sorry for my late response. We have been travelling and I have been in and out of internet access these past days. I agree that poetry enhances the language skills of children. Diana’s voice brought out emotional flow that ran through the verses. I am so glad that you listened in! Sending hugs!

      Liked by 3 people

  31. What an adorable poem. It just goes to show that as long as you have a big heart, you don’t need big brains! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Rebecca! Diana, congratulations on your new book release! Great story!

    Liked by 5 people

    2. Thank you for kindly stopping by Rebecca’s to listen to the poem, Julie. I’m thrilled with what Rebecca did with it. She’s so talented and a wonderful support of the writing community. Have a lovely day. 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

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    2. Thanks so much for taking the time to listen and watch, Linda. I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem and the amazing transformation it underwent in Rebecca’s care. I’m still glowing with appreciation. Have a beautiful, peaceful weekend. Hugs.

      Liked by 4 people

  42. This is a very beautiful poem, I have read and enjoyed it several times. I am impressed by the carefully chosen rhyming words, in poetic verses all through the many verses. And by the number of comments, I would say that I am only one of the very many who have enjoyed the story, may I mention, the elephants and the melodic sound of the reader’s voice! Thank you, as well Rebecca and Don for your lovely presentation of this poem, so well done! !

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Ms Frances. Poems for children compel me to rhyme, and I had such fun making this work. And of course, Rebecca and Don did their magic, transforming it into a feast for the ears and eyes. I love how the addition of music and visuals enhanced the poem. Have a wonderful autumn week. May the snowstorms hold off for a while. ❤

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Hi Robbie, Today is my catch-up day and I found your comment for my Elephant Child [poem at Rebecca’s. So sorry for the late reply. I rarely rhyme poems, except when it comes to verse for children. I love the way that rhyme helps children learn to read. Many hugs for the visit. 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

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