The Elephants and the Mice is a beloved Panchatantra fable from India. It is a story about about kindness, humility and receiving unexpected help. In this animal fable, discover how even the smallest creature can make a difference. Read on to enjoy the story, learn its moral, and try a fun craft activity at the end—a printable animal mask craft you can download, make together with your family or friends and and act out the story.

Deep in the hinterlands of India, a fierce earthquake struck a village. Walls tumbled like sandcastles, windows shattered into jagged shards, and the earth tore open. The villagers ran away, leaving behind empty houses and a cloud of dust. In the ruins, a nest of mice slipped through broken doors and collapsed walls, burrowing underneath the ruins. They tunneled beneath, carving home after home underground, until the entire deserted village became their secret home, away from prying eyes.

One scorching summer afternoon, a herd of elephants trudged towards a distant lake, desperate for water and shade. The sun beat down like a hammer, the air thick with heat. The easiest path to the lake laid through that ruined village. The elephants did not know that there were hidden tunnels beneath them. They marched through, each heavy step quaking through the ground, shattering the mice’s homes and crushing the mice underneath. The surviving mice squealed in terror and scurried away, terrified for their lives.

That night, the surviving mice assembled in the remains of the town hall. 

A trembling voice broke the silence. “If the elephants come this way again, they’ll crush every tunnel!”

“My house is gone. Flattened!” another wailed.

“My son was trampled on and now he is injured,” a third sobbed.

“We have to stop them!”

“Stop the elephants!” the mice cried in unison.

The leader of the mice climbed onto a fallen beam and spoke up, “Friends, I feel your fear and I hear your sorrow. I will go to the elephants and speak for us. I promise to ask them to spare our homes.”

Close to noon, she led a small band of mice towards the lake where the elephants gathered to cool down every day.

At the water’s edge, the elephants were playing in the water, cooling themselves down from the suffocating heat. The leader approached the king of the elephants.

“Your Majesty,” she said, her voice steady, “I am the leader of the mice in the village you passed through. I am here to ask for your help on a problem we have.”

The king raised one massive leg and flicked his enormous ears. He glanced down at the tiny mouse, barely looking at her for more than a second. 

“Oh? Let me hear it,” he replied in a bored drawl.

“My subjects and I live underground, in the village you always pass through to get to this lake. While you trudge through the village, your herd crush our homes beneath their stomping feet and hurt our young. Please, choose a different route for your travels and spare our tunnels,” her voice rising in anger and grief.

Silence filled the air as the king realised that they had brought harm to the lives of the living creatures before him. The king curled his trunk and bowed his head apologetically.

“I did not know your world lay beneath. My herd and I have wronged you. From now on, I will guide my herd another way so that no harm comes to your homes.”

The leader of the mice bowed back in gratitude. “We thank you for your kindness to hear us out, your Majesty.” She looked up at the great elephant. “In return, I would like to make a promise. When you are ever in need of help, my subjects and I will be at your service.”

The king of the elephants tossed his head back and let out an amused snort. He lowered his head and said, “Thank you for your offer, your Highness,” he began, “but I fail to see how you could ever help us. We are giants, and you are… very small.” He paused. “I mean no insult. What I am saying is a fact, plain and simple. However, if there is something else that I can do for you, don't ever hesitate to ask. For now, you have my word. We shall do you no more harm and take a different path to get to this lake.”

Weeks passed by uneventfully. The mice never saw the elephants passing through their village again and life for the mice went back to normal.

Then one day, danger struck without warning. Elephant poachers had laid a trap for the elephants in the shallow waters of the lake. The herd of elephants, seeking relief from the stifling heat of the sun, charged into the lake not knowing that there were nets set to spring close as soon as they step into the waters. Everyone except for one elephant was trapped. Even the king was trapped! He tried as hard as he could to untangle himself but unfortunately, his legs were tangled even further. The rest of the herd trumpeted in panic. The king was desperate! He did not know how to help his herd.

Suddenly an idea came to the king. He beckoned the free elephant that was still at the edge of the lake. “Go to the leader of the mice. Tell her what had happened and that we need their help.”

The elephant raced back to the village, stepping carefully to avoid tunnels below. He found the leader of the mice and shared with her the dire situation. “Please help my King and friends. Without your help, they will be caught by the hunters,” he begged.

“Everyone, the king of the elephants and his herd are in trouble. We must help them escape or they will perish.” She continued, “Let us remember their kindness and uphold our end of the promise.”

The mice nodded in agreement and together, they hurried to the lake. Without so much as a word, they sprang into action. They jumped into the lake and swam into the shallow waters. Their tiny teeth gnawed through the thick ropes and their claws scraped against the rough strands of the net. Inch by inch, the trap loosened.

At last, the very last strand of rope came undone. All the elephants stumbled free. The king of the elephants bowed deeply, humbled and remorseful over his arrogant words, “You have saved us. I was foolish to doubt you and we are forever in your debt. Thank you. Let our friendship last forever.”

The small but mighty mice stood proud, knowing that courage and kindness can bridge even the biggest difference.

Bring the story to life!

Now that you’ve journeyed through the fable of the elephant and the mice, it’s time to bring the story to life! Print, colour, cut, and assemble your masks. Then, together with your grown‑ups or friends, re‑enact or re-imagine the tale together. It’s a fun way to have fun and perform just like we do here at Esplanade.