Why Elephants Have Such Long Noses

A long time ago, elephants never used to have long noses. They had regular noses, just like all the rest of the animals. One day, a baby elephant was born, and he was very nosy. He had his nose in absolutely everything, whether it was a hole, a jar, or even other animals business. 1

One morning, Elephant came into the kitchen and a bowl was sitting on the table. He put is nose near the bowl and sniffed it. Mmmm, peanut butter pie filling. Just then, Momma Elephant walked into the kitchen and caught Elephant with his nose in the bowl. 2

“Well, you’ve just ruined my surprise. I was going to make that for you when you came home.” She said. 3

“I couldn’t help it. I just wanted to know what was inside.” Elephant explained. 4

“One of these days, Elephant,” Momma Elephant said, “you’re going to get your nose into the wrong thing and you’re going to get stuck.”5

But did Elephant care what his momma said? Of course not, he just left the kitchen and got ready for his day. Besides, now he knew there would be fresh peanut butter pie waiting for him when he got home. 6

While Elephant was walking into town, he passed Zebra and Giraffe talking about the kid Rabbit liked. Elephant couldn’t resist. He just had to stop and listen to what they were saying. Maybe he could help out in some way. 7

So Elephant bent down, pretending to tie his shoe. As he was listening, he caught the name of the kid. It was Joe Rabbit. Elephant had met Joe before, and he even thought he might see him in town that day. Elephant stood up and continued on his way. He couldn’t wait to find Joe and tell him the news. 8

The only problem was, Elephant hadn’t heard all of what was going on. It turns out that Joe was the kid Rabbit used to like, but she didn’t like his anymore. Elephant had left half way through the story!9

When Elephant was in town, he did see Joe, and just his luck, Joe stopped to talk to him. Elephant was just bursting with the news. 10

“Joe! Rabbit has a crush on you! You should go ask her out today!” Elephant blurted out.11

Joe was surprised. He’d known Rabbit for a while, and Elephant too. Elephant was always up to date on the gossip. He decided to go through with it. Besides, he’d just seen Rabbit at the store. 12

When Joe found Rabbit, he told her that he had heard from Elephant that she liked him, and that he wanted to go out with her. Rabbit was completely embarrassed when she heard this and she was mad at Elephant for once again, sticking his nose in everyone’s business. 13

“Oh that Elephant!” she exclaimed, “he’s always got his nose in something. I’m sorry Joe, but Elephant was wrong. I’m really sorry.” She felt terrible. If only Elephant knew what a mess he’d caused!14

“I guess it’s ok, but I have an idea on how to get back at Elephant.” Joe Began. “Since Elephant always has his nose in everything, we should get it stuck. That way, he wont be able to stick into everything else.”15

Rabbit laughed. She liked his idea, so she and Joe went to work making a plan. They both felt bad about getting back at Elephant, but he really needed to be taught a lesson. 16

After Rabbit and Joe got their plan all set up, Rabbit went to find Elephant. She looked all over town, and finally found him having a peanut butter cookie at the store. Elephant was extremely excited to see Rabbit. He thought she was coming to thank him for setting her up with Joe. Little did he know, there was something completely different in store for him. 17

“So did Joe ask you out? Are you two a couple now?” Elephant asked excitedly. He was really curious. 18

Rabbit hung her head a little. 19

“Yes Elephant,” Rabbit said reluctantly, “Joe asked me out, but I don’t like him anymore. You missed half the story.”20

“Oh.” Was all Elephant could come up with to say. 21

“ I think you should go find Joe and apologize, Elephant. He’s really upset.” Rabbit said. 22

Elephant thought that was a good idea. He left with rabbit to go to Joe’s rabbit hole. When he got there, He called to Joe, but there was no answer. 23

“You know, maybe he’s not here. Let’s just come back later.” Requested Elephant, who was beginning to worry about how Joe would react to seeing him. 24

“No.” Rabbit stated plainly. “I think you should stick your nose down his hole and call to him. He might be sleeping.” She suggested.25

Elephant, being as nosy as he was, couldn’t resist. He stuck his nose down Joe’s rabbit hole and called to him. Just then, Joe walked up behind him and wanted to know what was going on. Elephant attempted to pull his nose out of the hole so he could explain, but he couldn’t. He leaned back and pulled with all his might, but his nose was stuck in the hole. 26

“What am I going to do?” Elephant cried. “I can’t get my nose out of this hole!” 27

Elephant tried as hard as he could once again, but he couldn’t get out. The only thing he succeed in doing was to stretch his nose out a little more with every pull. 28

“Well,” Rabbit began, “I guess we could go get all the animals from town to help pull you out, but you have to make a promise.”29

“You have to promise that you will keep your nose out of everyone’s business.” Joe finished. 30

Elephant desperately agreed. All he wanted to do was get out of the hole and go home. He knew that everyone would be laughing at him when they go there. Rabbit and Joe left to go and get the animals from town and Elephant continued to try and free himself from the hole, with no success. 31

Finally, Rabbit and Joe returned with a long line of animals from town. They all felt bad to see Elephant in the position he was in, but on the other hand, they all thought he needed to learn his lesson. They all gathered in a line behind Elephant and pulled and pulled with all their might, but only after he promised aloud to always keep his nose out of other people’s business. 32

When Elephant was freed from Joe’s Rabbit hole, His nose was so stretched out from all the tugging that it almost reached the ground. The only thing Elephant could think of doing was running home to his fresh peanut butter pie. 33

When He walked in the door, his mother asked what happened to him. 34

“I got my nose stuck in a hole.” Elephant mumbled reluctantly. 35

His mother gave him his pie and said36

“I told you Elephant, one of these days, you were going to stick your nose in the wrong thing, and you were going to get stuck.”37

And this time, Elephant listened. He learned his lesson, and he had the nose to prove it. 38