The rat and the elephant

One day, a rat from the countryside decided to go on holiday. “I am bored with living on this farm and eating only rice and vegetables!” he said. “I want to see new places and eat tasty dishes from far-off rubbish heaps!”

He didn’t pack any luggage, because rats travel light. “As long as I have my fur, my sharp teeth and my dashing whiskers, that’s all I need!” he thought.

So the rat left the farm where he had lived all his life and set off for the city. He went down a farm track. It led to a dirt road that brought him to a busy highway. It was crowded with carts and motor vehicles and people of all kinds. The rat watched in wonder as peasants, pilgrims and princes went past. “There are so many amazing things to see!” he marvelled.

He knew that most humans didn’t like rats. That was why he decided to scurry along in the ditch by the side of the road where he could keep out of sight. “It’ll be safer this way!” he squeaked.

Then, he heard an almighty racket. A procession was coming down the highway! The rat peeked out of the ditch. In front came the musicians. They banged drums, blew trumpets and bashed brass cymbals together. “The music is so loud!” the rat thought as he covered his ears. Next came soldiers riding sleek horses. They looked amazing in their colourful uniforms.

Then came the star of the show – a huge grey elephant! His tusks were long and white, and his trunk swung from side to side as he walked. The massive creature wore coverings of purple cloth, decorated with jewels that glittered in the light. Servants carried great umbrellas to shade the elephant from the sun and waved fans to keep him cool. When the rat saw this, he felt a bit jealous.

“Why does he get a parade and all this attention? He’s big and has tusks, but what about me? I have lovely soft fur and the finest whiskers in the world!”

The rat decided to leave his hiding place and join the parade. “I’m as good as that elephant. Perhaps people will give me the attention I deserve!” he squeaked.

The rat scurried onto the road and began strutting along on two legs in front of the procession. He spun around, turned somersaults and waved his paws in the air. Unfortunately, everyone was still paying attention to the elephant. They didn’t notice the tiny rat and his performance. No matter how fancy his moves were, the humans ignored him and focused on the great grey animal…

The rat marched on anyway. He was determined not to give up. But someone noticed the rash rodent! A hungry cat spotted him and licked his lips. “Here comes my lunch, walking in the middle of the road!” he purred. The cat crouched and twitched his tail.

The feline pounced! He knocked the rat over and sent him tumbling into the dust. The poor rodent was terrified! He managed to dodge the cat’s claws and dived into the ditch. The rat hid in the stinking mud at the bottom. The cat couldn’t find him and wandered away.

The rat only climbed out when night fell and the road was quiet. His fur was matted with mud, but he was glad to have escaped! “Maybe it’s better not to be noticed sometimes,” he thought. “Too many animals want to eat rats because we are so delicious. I shall stay safely in the shadows until the world is ready for me! But now, I want to go back to the lovely peaceful countryside.”