Once upon a time
The Elephants and the Mice
Panchatantra · retold for families
About 4 min read aloud · For grown-ups and children together
Elephants marched to a lotus lake, crushing grass and roots. Mice scurried away, but one elder mouse called, “Wait! If you ever need us, remember our hole by the banyan.”
Hunters dug a deep pit and covered it with leaves. One by one, elephants tumbled in, trumpeting in fear. Ropes and nets followed.
The mouse chief gathered his clan. All night they gnawed rope fibers until the youngest elephant could lift a foot, then another, until the herd climbed free.
The elephant king bowed his great head. “We thought you were too small to matter. You saved our lives.”
The mice shared grain the elephants dropped. Bedtime listeners hear: never mock the small — they may be your rescue tomorrow.
Classic tale retold by IRA Creations for screen-free bedtime. After the story, try a quiet craft — our painting kits or free colouring sheets.