Elmo's Ears

The bell for lunch break rang, and all the children rushed out of the classroom, gathering on the ground. Elmo elephant, Roro rabbit, Maddy monkey, and Danny deer sat under a tree with their lunch boxes.

- Dr K Rani

Though the rains had gone, October heat was strong and mosquitoes were buzzing around.

Roro stood up from his seat and moved closer to Elmo elephant.

"Why did you move near Elmo?" Maddy asked.

"If I sit next to Elmo, the mosquitoes won't bother me," Roro replied.

"Are mosquitoes scared of Elmo?" Maddy asked sarcastically.

"I can't say about that, but the mosquitoes don't come near him because of his big ears. Their movement keeps them away!" Roro explained with a smile.

"I thought of you as my best friend, and now you're making fun of my ears. Your ears are big too, you can shake them and drive away mosquitoes by yourselves." Elmo retorted.

"I can't ward off mosquitoes by wiggling my ears like you can with yours," Roro said.

"Stop now you both! Focus on eating! If the bell rings, we won't be able to finish our food," Danny said, changing the subject.

Elmo was in a bad mood after listening to Roro. He didn't like his big ears anyway, and now he felt like Roro had embarrassed him in front of everyone.

He finished his lunch quietly, and as soon as the bell rang, he returned to the classroom, his shoulders sunk.

Maddy monkey didn't like seeing Elmo's downcast face.

"Don't take Roro's words seriously, Elmo," Maddy comforted him.

"Everyone makes fun of my big ears. I don't like them either. I don't know why we elephants have been given such big ears," Elmo sobbed.

"My grandmother said that nature gave elephants big ears and small eyes so that they cannot see their own bodies," Maddy shared.

Elmo's eyes widened.

"What will happen if an elephant sees its own body?" he asked.

"She used to say that if an elephant sees itself, it will become very proud and start troubling the smaller animals," Maddy explained.