The Tale of Eli the Elephant and the Whispering Woods ~ Short Stories

 

There once lived many animals of different shapes quite amicably in a rich, green forest called the Whispering Woods. In fact, one of the forest rules was to ensure all sizes of animals live at peace and order with themselves within the community-from the biggest to the smallest. This peace was spearheaded by an old elephant named Eli, said to be one of the first of his kind in the Whispering Woods. His voice was very soft and thoughtfully wise. The animals loved him.

One day, a small fox asked around about Eli. "Why should Eli be the one with all the rules?" he asked aloud. "Is it just because he's the biggest?

Initially, no one bothered to listen to Fynn's questions; however, he kept ruffling feathers, especially those of his younger friends. The more that he questioned things, the more the young animals felt they were not being treated justly. They decided that it was high time that things around the forest should be changed. Why must they listen to one old elephant, after all?

It was one bright morning when Fynn called a meeting under the Great Banyan Tree, where animals would gather quite often to hear Eli's wisdom, but this time it was Fynn standing in the center.

"I think we ought to decide for ourselves," Fynn declared. "Why should Eli get to say what's best for us? We're tough and smart too!" The murmurs of agreement among the young animals were a reflection of what they liked about being in charge.

But wise old Eli was there too, watching quietly. As he was noticed by the crowd of young animals, all fell silent.

Eli smiled blandly, saying, "Fynn, my young friend, I can see that you are indeed bold and keen to make change. Are you and your friends amenable to spending one full day with me working toward the betterment of this forest? We can listen further to your thoughts on it, if, come day's end, you're still of the belief you've described."

They felt an excitement of sorts at being deemed worthy of an opportunity to be allowed to demonstrate their capacities.

Eli took them along the border of the woodland, where grass was long at both sides. "Those grasses have grown very thick and block the way for the sunlight into all the other plants," he added. "We can clear this pathway to take in sunshine together." Shortly, Fynn and all his friends started nuzzling and pulling up all the grasses by their miniature paws. By midnoon, they were panting out of breath and exhausted themselves, but they could merely complete half the task that day.

Eli could so easily lift bundles of grasses with his large trunk, though he moved slowly but steadily without any hurry though each sweep he made produced more than the other animals.

As they walked, Eli explained how each plant needed sunlight, how every tree provided shelter, and how the river through the forest fed and quenched everyone's thirst. "Every creature here depends on every other. When one part suffers, we all feel it," he said in a soft voice full of wisdom.

Fynn listened attentively as he slowly began to understand.

By the afternoon, they reached the river. They found that some of its fish were straggling to swim up through its stream. "This is the river which makes each one of us full of life," explained Eli, "But at times it too needs some support." He began showing animals around how to remove fallen boulders blocking its little stream and enable its swimming fish to get easily ahead in life, very calmly.

The young animals worked so hard. Their fur was dripping wet sweat mixed with water. So laborious was the job, but they started getting what made the fish, the river, and even tall blades of grass keep Whispering Woods alive.

The time had set when Fynn glanced at Eli saying that he really did not have a clue how all around them is connected, being all part of one massive family, isn't it

Eli nodded. "Yes, Fynn. Leadership is not about power or even about making rules. It's understanding what the needs are of every single part of the forest and how we can work to help serve it. I merely guide you all so we can all live in harmony.".

Fynn and his friends started to respect Eli, realizing that it was not about orders but about looking after everyone in the woods.

The next day, Fynn brought them together again at the trunk of the Great Banyan Tree and spoke for a long time. As if filled with wisdom from within, this time also as wise as Eli says, "Eli taught us what it is like to lead," he went on to say. "That was not who could be stronger or the smarter; this was taking care of all of it, and taking care of everything around here."

Since that day, Fynn and his friends did not only worship Eli but also made it their task to take care of the forest. And so, with every young and old working hard in keeping their home safe and happy, Whispering Woods became even more harmonious.

And thus, teaching each animal how wonderful love, care, and unity are, Eli the Elephant continued to lead this forest, not through the power of force, but through the might of.

Moral: True leadership is not power or authority but responsibility, compassion, and other's needs as a servant. When people work together and understand the value of each role, they can easily build an effective harmonious and supporting community.

Here are the questions from the story: 

1. Question: Why did Fynn the fox want to make his own rules?

 Answer: He thought that he and his friends could lead the forest without Eli's rules.

2. Question: What asked Eli from the young animals?

Answer: Eli requested the young animals to take care of the forest for a day.

3. What did the young animals learn from helping Eli?

 Answer: They learned that everything in the forest needs each other and that in order to be a leader one needs to take care of everyone not just give commands.

4. Question: How did the animals feel about Eli after helping him?

 Answer: They respected Eli more and understood why he was a wise leader.

5. Question: What is the main lesson from the story?

 Answer: The lesson is that true leaders take care of everyone and work to help the whole community.

6. Question: What did Fynn decide after spending the day with Eli?

 Answer: Fynn decided that Eli's way of leading was good and he too wanted to help care for the forest.

7. Question: Why is teamwork helpful in the forest?

 Answer: Teamwork will help the forest be in better health and safety also. Since all the people, with one working together in help for the other.