Ellie the Elephant’s First Day at a New School
By Bill Conley—America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller
Moral
to the Story:
Starting something new can feel
scary, but fear is just a sign that you’re about to grow.
Walking into a new classroom is the beginning of an adventure filled with new
friends and new possibilities. Confidence is not about never being nervous, but about believing in yourself
even when you are. A warm smile is a powerful gift; it makes others feel welcome and helps you feel
stronger, too. When you hold your head high, you show the world that you are ready to shine. Every friend you meet was once a stranger, until someone said hello. The first step into a new place is always the hardest, but it leads to wonderful
opportunities. Courage is not the absence of fear, but moving forward with hope and joy in
your heart.
The sun was shining, but Ellie
the Elephant didn’t feel very bright inside. Today was her first day at
a brand-new school. Her family had moved across the jungle to a new
clearing, and Ellie didn’t know a single student in her new class.
As she looked into the mirror, her
big ears drooped. “What if nobody likes me? What if I don’t fit in?” she
whispered.
Mama Elephant knelt beside her.
“Ellie, it’s normal to feel nervous. But remember, every friend you’ve ever had
was once a stranger. You just have to smile, be yourself, and let your kindness
show.”
“But what if they laugh at me?”
Ellie asked, her trunk curling nervously.
Papa Elephant hugged her gently.
“Sweetheart, you have something wonderful inside you—courage. Courage doesn’t
mean you aren’t scared. It means you move forward anyway.”
Ellie thought about that as she
walked to school, her feet heavy on the dirt path.
When she arrived, the playground was
full of animals chatting and laughing. Leo the Lion Cub roared with
excitement as he tossed a ball. Ruby the Rabbit hopped in circles with
her friends. Sammy the Squirrel chattered loudly, showing off his
lunchbox.
Ellie froze. Her heart thumped like
a drum. She wanted to run back home.
But then she remembered Mama’s
words: “Every friend you’ve ever had was once a stranger.”
She took a deep breath, lifted her
head, and gave a small, brave smile.
Ruby the Rabbit noticed first. She
hopped over and said warmly, “Hi! I’m Ruby. Are you new here?”
Ellie nodded. “Yes. My name is
Ellie.”
Ruby smiled. “Welcome! Do you want
to hopscotch with us?”
Ellie’s heart lifted. Maybe, just
maybe, she could belong here.
Inside the classroom, Miss Giraffe, the teacher, greeted everyone with her tall, graceful smile. “Good morning,
class. We have a new friend joining us today. Please welcome Ellie the
Elephant.”
Ellie’s cheeks flushed. She stepped
forward slowly. Dozens of eyes stared at her.
“Good morning,” Ellie said softly,
her trunk trembling.
“Good morning, Ellie!” the class
echoed.
Miss Giraffe guided her to a seat
between Leo and Ruby. “Now let’s begin our day.”
As the lesson started, Miss Giraffe
drew numbers on the board. “Today we’ll review addition and subtraction.”
Ellie watched closely, but soon her
head began to spin. The numbers didn’t make sense. Her paw twitched. She wanted
to ask—but the old fear returned.
What if they think I’m not smart?
What if they laugh?
She looked at Ruby, who was
scribbling notes, and Leo, who was nodding proudly. Her ears drooped.
Then she remembered Papa’s words: “Courage
doesn’t mean you aren’t scared. It means you move forward anyway.”
Slowly, Ellie raised her trunk.
“Yes, Ellie?” Miss Giraffe said
kindly.
Ellie swallowed hard. “I… I don’t
understand how you got that answer.”
The classroom went silent. Ellie’s
heart pounded.
Then Miss Giraffe smiled. “Thank
you, Ellie. That’s a wonderful question. Let’s slow down and go through it step
by step.”
She explained again, breaking it
into smaller parts. And Ellie wasn’t the only one listening closely—Ruby leaned
forward, Leo tilted his head, and Sammy scribbled notes quickly.
When Miss Giraffe finished, half the
class nodded in relief. “Ohhh, now I get it!” Ruby said.
Ellie blinked in surprise. She
wasn’t the only one who didn’t understand. By raising her trunk, she had helped
everyone.
At lunch, Leo grinned. “Thanks,
Ellie. I didn’t get that math problem either, but I didn’t want to ask.”
Ruby added, “You were so brave!”
Ellie felt her chest swell with
warmth. “I was scared,” she admitted. “But it feels good to understand.”
From then on, Ellie walked into
school each morning with her head held high and a warm smile on her face. She
still felt nervous sometimes—but she had discovered something powerful: courage
and confidence grow every time you face your fears.
And soon, Ellie wasn’t just the new
student anymore. She was everyone’s friend, the one who made others feel braver
just by being herself.
Moral
to the story poem:
When you feel shy and want to hide,
Be brave, hold your head with pride.
A smile can open any door,
And give you courage to try once more.
No question’s silly, don’t be afraid,
That’s how confidence is truly made.
Step in with strength, let fear be small,
You’ll find new friends and stand up tall.
Discussion
Questions:
1.
Why was Ellie afraid to go to her
new school at first?
2.
How did raising her trunk to ask a
question help not just Ellie, but her whole class?
3.
What
are some things you can do on your first day somewhere new to make friends and
feel confident?
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