The story
A town of mice lived near a lake. Every day a herd of elephants walked through on the way to drink, and many mice were crushed under their great feet.
The mouse king went to the elephant king. “Please take another path,” he said. “One day we may be able to help you.” The elephant king smiled, but kindly agreed.
Some time later, hunters trapped the elephants with thick ropes tied to trees. The elephant king sent a message to the mice.
Hundreds of mice came running. They gnawed through every rope until all the elephants were free.
Moral of the Story
Be kind to everyone — even the smallest friends can help in big ways.
More stories on HonestyMore stories on KindnessMore stories on Friendship & TeamworkStories for this age
कहानी — चूहे जिन्होंने हाथियों को छुड़ाया
एक झील के पास चूहों की एक बस्ती थी। हर दिन हाथियों का एक झुंड पानी पीने जाते हुए वहाँ से गुज़रता, और उनके भारी पैरों के नीचे बहुत-से चूहे कुचल जाते।
चूहों के राजा हाथियों के राजा के पास गए। “कृपया कोई दूसरा रास्ता ले लीजिए,” उन्होंने कहा। “हो सकता है, किसी दिन हम भी आपके काम आ सकें।” हाथियों के राजा मुस्कुराए, पर प्यार से मान गए।
कुछ समय बाद शिकारियों ने हाथियों को पेड़ों से बँधी मोटी रस्सियों में फँसा लिया। हाथियों के राजा ने चूहों के पास संदेश भिजवाया।
सैकड़ों चूहे दौड़ते हुए आए। उन्होंने एक-एक रस्सी कुतर डाली, और सारे हाथी आज़ाद हो गए।
कहानी की सीख
सबके साथ अच्छा व्यवहार करो — छोटे-से-छोटा दोस्त भी बड़ी मदद कर सकता है।
What Children Can Learn
- Kindness
- Keeping promises
- Teamwork
Emotional & social lesson
Helping others, even when they seem small, builds friendships that matter.
Key vocabulary
- herd
- a big group of animals
- gnaw
- to bite again and again
- promise
- saying you will surely do something
Think & Answer
- What did the mice ask the elephants?
- How did the mice keep their promise?
- How can small helpers work together?
Parent–child activity
Tie a loose knot in string and see how quickly it comes undone when everyone in the family helps.
Parent / Teacher Discussion
Compare with the Aesop fable “The Lion and the Mouse” — the same idea from two cultures.
Try a Learning Activity
Read the story → answer the questions → practise on the Life Skills island and work towards a 🏅 Gold Medal.
FAQ
What is the moral of “The Mice That Set Elephants Free”?
Be kind to everyone — even the smallest friends can help in big ways.
What age is “The Mice That Set Elephants Free” suitable for?
It suits children of about 4–10 years, read aloud or read together.