Rebecca's Reading RoomPoetry in Winter: A Tale of Heart, Friendship, and the “Shoulds” We Carry
The Elephant Child by D. Wallace Peach
There’s something magical about poetry in wintertime. Perhaps it’s the way words seem to echo in the stillness, or how stories find warmth in the cold. A couple of years ago, Diana Wallace Peach shared her delightful poem The Elephant Child with me and graciously allowed me to create a video pairing her recitation with my winter photography.
This charming tale of an elephant lost in the snow and the brave little mice who come to his rescue reminds us that kindness and courage often come in the smallest packages. It’s a poem that makes me smile every time I hear it, a gentle reminder that compassion is a kind of light in the darker months.
As the first snowflakes fall and the year draws to a close, stories like this one feel especially dear. So, pour a cup of tea, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, and join us for this winter’s tale of friendship and homecoming.
As we enter the Holiday Season, a time that celebrates joy, love, peace, and hope, The Elephant Child reminds us to prepare our hearts and minds to cherish these precious final weeks of 2025. It’s in these small, gentle stories that we rediscover what matters most: kindness, connection, and the quiet courage to care.
With gratitude to D. Wallace Peach for sharing her words and spirit.
Until the next page turns, may your days be filled with warmth, wonder, and a good story to share.
Rebecca
https://youtu.be/iElhOjFzfEc?si=urMqA_W-9IpzgY02
The Elephant Child by D. Wallace Peach
An elephant child, carefree and wild
Walked into the wintry woods
He followed fox tails and jackrabbit trails
Ignoring his mother’s “shoulds”
Of course, he got lost and chilled by the frost
As night began to fall
To his rump he sunk and tooted his trunk
But no one answered his call
Oh, that cold night, to the elephant fright
The clouds began to snow
He sniffled and shivered, shook and quivered
His nose he needed to blow
The blizzard swirled and snowflakes twirled
He plodded on wobbly knees
His head grew stuffy, the snow so fluffy
He blew out a honking sneeze
Losing hope, he started to mope
When in an evergreen tree
He spied a house, just right for a mouse
And he let go a trumpet of glee
Alas the place hadn’t the space
To fit an elephant’s bulk
The lost little guy plunked down for a cry
His head hung low in a sulk
The house was quite nice, chock full of mice
Who whispered quiet and low
What was that? Did you hear a cat?
Lurking out in the snow?
Across the wood floor, they dashed to the door
Flicked on the outside light
In a rodent flurry, they squeaked and scurried
An elephant! What a sight!
Let’s offer a seat for a tea and a treat
Said a mouse who felt overly bold
I think he is lost so covered in frost
And surely his ears are cold.
Full of care and courage to spare
They crawled out on a limb
They slipped on the ice those brave little mice
And their mission turned quite grim
But they held on tight with all their might
And called to the elephant
Come in from the storm, come in and get warm
But the elephant said I can’t!
Though I’m only four, I’ll bust the door
I’ll break the branch from the tree
I’ll crack your stairs and squash your chairs
I’m far too heavy, you see.
You have to try, hurry in and dry
Get up! Please give it a go!
The elephant groaned, he mumbled and moaned
Though he longed to get out of the snow.
With strength galore, he pushed on the door
The tree branch started to bend
The home nearly fell, and the mice had to yell
Please stop, or we’re end-over-end!
The elephant frowned as the flakes tumbled down
His trunk a bright shade of blue
Oh, what a glitch, mice-whiskers did twitch.
What were the rodents to do?
Now, due to their size, mice aren’t very wise
Their brains are as tiny as seeds
They may not be smart, but they have lots of heart
And sometimes that’s all that you need.
They sketched out a plan as only mice can
And piled his back with sweaters
And blankets and sheets, and curtains with pleats
Tiny coats of wool and black leather
With the elephant warm, and safe from all harm
They dialed their old-fashioned phone
We’re seeking his mother, a father or brother!
This elephant’s all alone!
Well what do you know, because of the snow
His parents were suffering fits
They dashed to him fast and hugged him at last
And stayed for some tea and biscuits.
Thus ends the plight of the elephant’s night
Be careful when out in the woods
You might meet some mice who are caring and nice
But just in case…
Remember your mother’s shoulds
Poem by D. Wallace Peach
Recitation by D. Wallace Peach
https://anchor.fm/s/4e4af350/podcast/rss
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