Elephant saw Mouse walking down the road ahead. "Get out of my way, you contemptible little creature!" Elephant shouted.
"We're all equal here," Mouse replied. "I've got just as much right to the road as you. Moreover, I could throw you on your back if I chose."
When Elephant burst out laughing, Mouse leaped onto Elephant's back and scampered down to the base of his tail where his trunk could not reach. Then Mouse started gnawing!
Elephant writhed in pain, bellowed, bucked, and finally threw himself down on his back.
Mouse leaped to safety and continued on his way, laughing.
Inspired by: "One Ought Not to Despise the Little Things" in African Jungle Tales by C. J. Bender, 1919. This is a story of the Bulu people of Cameroon.
Notes: You can read the original story online.
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