A short story about elephants for early readers, inspired by the Babar series.
Alphonse, fidgety and restless, struggles to focus on his book. His mind drifts to the thought of his beloved wife and the imminent arrival of their little elephant. He ponders: Would the baby inherit Esmee’s fortitude or perhaps his dashing good looks? The waiting period is a jungle of possibilities, each moment filled with excitement and suspense.

Alphonse informs the elephant clan that the village bell will announce the baby’s arrival.
Seeing his anxiety, Esmee lovingly encourages her husband to take a bicycle ride and distract his overactive imagination.
Several miles into his journey, the chime of the bell reaches Alphonse’s ears. With the speed of a charging elephant, he races home, propelled by adrenaline and curiosity. However, he notices that the bell chimed not once but twice, then three times.

Back home, the village elephants gathered in groups and talked among themselves. Alphonse had only mentioned one chime. Why did the bellkeeper ring three?ย
Alphonse, panting from his breakneck ride, dashes headlong up the stairs, joyfully rushes into Esmeeโs chamber, and, with questioning eyes, tenderly embraces his wife.
With a proud smile, Esmee reveals the reason for the triple chime: not one, but three tiny baby elephants! That explains everything: one chime for each child, three babies, three bells. What a surprise to find three baby elephants when you only expected one!

The boys, Emile and Theodore, tiptoe into the room, eyes wide with wonder. “Oh! How tiny!” exclaims Theodore. “Oh! How cute!” adds Emile as he admires the baby lying in the cradle.
Only one cradle had been prepared, so they improvised another out of a wash basket, a towel and an umbrella. The makeshift arrangements held the babies snug as bugs in rugs.
Days later, the tiny elephants snooze contentedly in their garden pram while Alphonse and Esmee receive a steady stream of well-wishers bearing gifts. Poutifour, the farmer, presents an assortment of his finest fruits; the hens cluck over a basket of eggs; the gardener offers a vibrant bouquet; and the baker unveils a colossal cake. Not to be outdone, Uncle Cornelius bestows three shiny silver rattles upon the new arrivals.
Soon, big brothers Theodore and Emile are tasked with chauffeuring the babies around the neighborhood. “Theodore carefully helps little Pascal into the pram while Emile secures Celeste and Louis in their seats.”As they stroll along, Theodore’s eyes widen. “Oh, la la! I forgot the sweaters! Iโll be right back.โ
As Theodore sprints home, Emile cautiously steers the pram up a hill. Suddenly distracted by a barking dog hot on the heels of a fleeing rabbit, Emile releases his grip. The pram, now a runaway carriage, elicits peals of laughter from the babies โ until they realize their precarious situation.
Emile chases the pram as it gathers momentum, but it’s Margot, the observant turtle, who saves the day. With a swiftness uncharacteristic of her species, Margot flings herself under the pram’s wheels, bringing it to a screeching halt at the cliff’s edge.

Pascal and Celeste are jolted back against the side of the carriage, narrowly avoiding disaster. However, poor little Louis is thrown out head-first. Theodore and Emile scream in unison, their hearts in their throats!
Startled by a scream, Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel freeze. Moments later, a rustling in the leaves and the snapping of branches draws their gaze upward. There, clinging to a branch is a baby elephant, his trunk trembling as he cries, “Mama! Louith’s falling! Mama, help Louith!”
โSteady, little elephant! Donโt let go!โ Cry the squirrels. โJust try to get your foot up on the big branch. Weโre right here. Donโt be afraid. Weโll help you!โ
With the squirrels’ guidance, the tiny elephant regains his balance. “Hold on tight to my tail,” instructs Mr. Squirrel. “Wiggle your big ears to keep your balance! Watch you step! Follow me to safety!โ
The baby elephant takes a deep breath and does as he’s told. Soon, they’re nestled securely in the squirrels’ cozy home. Baby Louis is so grateful for the squirrelsโs help, and now, he wants to tell his Mama not to worryโhe is not hurt.
Louis wonders how he’ll ever find his way down the smooth, towering tree trunk to reach his family. Just then, a giraffe strolled by and said, โLook here, little elephant, Iโll put my head right close to the branch. Then, you can sit between my ears and hold on to my horns. I know your family, and Iโll take you back to them.โ

Louis, quite delighted, thanks the squirrels and says goodbye. He settles on the giraffeโs head, and off they go.
As the giraffe carefully carries Louis, he spots his family rushing toward them. Tears of joy fill his eyes as he’s reunited with his loved ones, safe and sound at last.
Once a mystery, the significance of the three chimes is now clear: a resounding celebration of triple the love, triple the excitement, and triple the potential for new adventures. And so our story of this elephant family concludes for now. But rest assured, dear reader, that the adventures of these extraordinary elephants are far from over!
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