Edwina was the smallest elephant. All of her brothers and sisters and their
friends made fun of her because she was so small. They all called her names
and teased her
Even today.
Even on her birthday.
Mummy had left the room to organise the birthday cake and Malcolm (Edwina's
elder brother) started to tease her as soon as she was gone.
Edwina slid off her chair as the other were laughing at Malcolm's comments and
squeezed under the table with a doll.
She sniffed a big sniff (because elephants can sniff really big sniffs) and
sat there feeling sorry for herself whilst the other elephants played on top
of the table.
She heard a little sniff behind her and felt something small sit down at her
back.
She made a bit sniff.
The other person made a small sniff.
"They call me names" Said Edwina.
"They call me names, too." Said a small, high-pitched, voice.
"They call me little-nose." Said Edwina.
"They call me tiny-tail." Said the voice.
"They call me small-ears."
"They call me short-whiskers."
"They don't like me."
"They don't like me, either." Said the voice, sounding very sad.
"I'm scared of them because they are bigger than me."
"So am I. They won't be my friends." The voice said sounding sadder
than ever.
"I know," Edwina said, faltering, "Could I be your friend?"
"It would be nice to have a friend." Said the little voice, "Can
I be your friend too?"
"I think you have to, if I'm your friend." Edwina said. "Cor!"
She exclaimed, "I've got a friend!"
"So have I." Said the little voice.
"Does this mean I should get out from under the table?" Edwina asked.
"You might miss the cake if you don't." Said the little voice, "I'd
better stay under here 'though."
"Are you sure?" Edwina asked, surprised that her new friend would
want to.
"Yes." Said the voice. "It's for the best." Then the voice
got a little louder, "Tell you what..." Said the voice as it travelled
round Edwina, "I'm Patrick, Lets shake and be friends!"
In front of Edwina was a small mouse!
Now, Edwina was not the bravest of elephants and all elephants are scared of
mice, so Edwina was about to jump up and run away.
Then she saw that the mouse was wearing a big grin and had his hand held out
to Edwina.
Patrick was a mouse!
Edwina closed her eyes for a second to be brave and then held her hand out.
The new friends shook.
Edwina smiled at Patrick.
Patrick smiled at Edwina.
Just then Edwina heard a noise! It was Mum coming back from the kitchen with
the cake!
"I've got to go." She said.
"Keep me a bit of cake!" Patrick asked. Edwina nodded.
"Goodbye!" She said as she crawled back out from under the table.
"Bye-Bye!" Her friend called back.
Edwina sat on her chair just in time for Mum to put the cake down in front of
her.
Edwina smiled and Mum started to light the candles so she could blow them out.
Malcolm turned to Edwina and opened his mouth to say something.
"Push your hairy nose out of it until I've blown the candles!" Edwina
said.
Malcolm shut his mouth. Edwina had talked back! The others laughed.
Edwina smiled and then blew out the candles.
She kept a bit of cake "for later"…
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