The Elephants Visit London

by Beverly Eschberger

  The Elephant family walked through St. James’s Park to Buckingham Palace. Mr. Elephant held Harold on his shoulders. And Mrs. Elephant held Penelope on her shoulders. This way, they could all see the Changing of the Guard.

  Harold and Penelope enjoyed the music the bands played. Harold was enjoying everything so much that he trumpeted loudly.

  But everyone around seemed to think it was the band playing. Harold even let Penelope hold one of his toy soldiers. But he made her promise to be very, very careful with it.

  Sightseeing in London

  The Elephants found a nice pub to eat lunch at. They all wanted to eat real English food. Mr. Elephant ordered fish and chips. Mrs. Elephant ordered Cornish pasty. Penelope ordered Cottage Pie.

  And Harold ordered Toad in the Hole. He was rather let down that it was not a real toad. It was a soft bread with sausages in it.

  Their food was served. The Elephants were all pleased that their meals came with peas. Because elephants are very fond of peas. They drank many cups of tea with milk and sugar.

  After lunch, Mrs. Elephant wanted to go to the British Museum. She wanted to see the many pieces of ancient artwork there.

  Harold wanted to ride the Underground to the British Museum. But Mr. Elephant said, “No, I do not want to ride on the Underground any more. I hurt too much from getting stuck in the turnstiles already.”

  Penelope spoke up. “Daddy, let’s ride one of the double-decker buses instead. We can ride on the top. Then we can see everything as we go by!”

  Everyone agreed that that was a good idea. They walked to the bus stop and got on the bus.

  Mr. Elephant got stuck in the bus stairs. But the nice bus conductor pushed him from behind. The Elephants sat in the upper deck of the bus. They pointed to all the sights as they rode to the British Museum.

  “Look, Mummy,” said Harold. “There is Piccadilly Circus! Do they have lions and tigers there?”

  “No, Harold,” said Mrs. Elephant. She laughed. “It is not that kind of circus.”

  Harold was sad that he could not see a circus in London.

  The bus stopped at the British Museum and they all got off. Mr. Elephant got stuck in the stairs again. But the nice bus conductor again pushed him from behind.

  The Elephants walked around the British Museum. They looked at the many sculptures. They were very careful to tiptoe. So that no one would guess that there were elephants in the museum.

  “Egyptian, Babylonian, Greek, and Roman statues!” said Mrs. Elephant. “These have all given me so many ideas! I have so much new artwork that I want to make when we return home!”

  “Now let’s see the Egyptian mummies,” said Penelope. “They are so interesting!”

  So the Elephants tiptoed through the Egyptian mummies. When they were finished, Penelope was very sad.

  “What is the matter, my dear?” asked Mr. Elephant.

  “Well, Daddy,” said Penelope. “I saw mummies of humans. And cats. And alligators. And bulls. And snakes. And even fish.”

  “Yes, dear,” said Mr. Elephant. “Did you not find them all interesting?”

  “Oh, yes, Daddy, I did,” said Penelope.

  “Then why are you so sad?” asked Mr. Elephant.

  “Because I did not see any mummies of elephants,” said Penelope.Mr. Elephant smiled and patted her on the head. He said, “Well, my dear. I will see if I can find an elephant mummy for you.”

  Penelope felt cheered up then.

  After visiting the British Museum, the Elephants were very hungry. It was time for afternoon tea. The Elephants walked to Covent Garden where they found a café. They drank tea with milk and sugar. And ate scones with cream and jam.

  Then Mrs. Elephant wanted to do some

  shopping. She wanted to buy gifts for their friends and family in Elephas. So they bought some postcards and gifts to take home.

  After shopping, it was time for dinner. The Elephants found another nice pub close to their hotel. Mr. Elephant ordered fish and chips again. Mrs. Elephant ordered steak and kidney pie. Penelope ordered Shepherd’s Pie.

  And Harold ordered Bangers and Mash. He was let down to learn that the Bangers were not firecrackers. It was another name for sausages.

  The Elephants were all pleased that their dinners were served with peas. Because (as you already know) elephants are very fond of peas.

  Mrs. Elephant and the children drank cups of tea with milk and sugar. Mr. Elephant drank a glass of cider. The cider made him feel quite sleepy. So the Elephants went back to their hotel.

  They tiptoed through the hotel lobby to the lift. Penelope and Harold were careful not to trip on the rug. They rode up to their room on the top floor.

  The Elephants each took a bath. They changed into their pajamas, and brushed their teeth.

  Mr. and Mrs. Elephant tucked Harold and Penelope into their beds. They all read a story together about London. They kissed their children both good night.

  The Elephants all went to sleep. They dreamed about the fun things that they would do tomorrow. Mrs. Elephant dreamed about being a famous sculptor making Egyptian statues. She was very happy to make such beautiful artwork.

  Mr. Elephant dreamed about being stuck in the Underground turnstiles. He tossed and turned in his sleep.

  Penelope dreamed that she discovered a dinosaur skeleton in the hotel lobby. She was very happy to find something so interesting.

  And Harold dreamed that he was a king. He wore a crown and carried a scepter. As king, Harold commanded all of the toy soldiers in England. This made Harold very happy.

  The Museum of Natural History

  The next morning, the Elephants rode the lift downstairs. They tiptoed through the lobby to their hotel’s café for breakfast.

  Mr. and Mrs. Elephant were wearing their raincoats again. And Harold and Penelope wore their school uniforms. Everyone thought that they were an ordinary English family.

  The waitress brought them toast and a big pot of tea. The Elephants each ordered a Full English Breakfast. Penelope spread lots of orange marmalade on her toast. Harold preferred the strawberry jam.

  The Elephants’ breakfasts were served. They were quite pleased with all the food. On their plates were eggs, sausages, bacon, baked beans, tomatoes, and mushrooms. And a big slice of black pudding.

  The Elephants all cleaned their plates. Then they set off for the Museum of Natural History. Penelope and Harold both wanted to see the dinosaur skeletons.

  Harold wanted to ride on the Underground again. But Mr. Elephant said, “No, I do not want to ride on the Underground today. I still hurt from the turnstiles and the bus stairs yesterday.”

  Mrs. Elephant said, “But my dear, it is the best way to the Museum.

  Mr. Elephant sighed very loudly. He said, “Very well, we will ride the Underground again.”

  The Elephants walked to Temple Underground Station. Mr. Elephant got stuck in the turnstile again. But the same nice attendant pushed him from behind.

  The Elephant family squeezed into the subway car. They rode the Underground to South Kensington Station.

  Mr. Elephant got stuck in the turnstile as they left the station. But another nice attendant pushed him from behind. The Elephants walked to the entrance of the museum. Harold and Penelope saw the large dinosaur skeleton in the main hall. They began to run around in delight.

  “Look, look, Harold,” cried Penelope.

  “It’s a Diplodocus!”

  “Where is the T. rex?” cried Harold.

  “Look, there is a Mammoth skull!” squealed Penelope.

  “Remember to tiptoe! And be careful!” warned Mrs. Elephant. She then turned her attention to the Diplodocus skeleton. “My, but they were big,” mused Mrs. Elephant.

  “Harrumph,” said Mr. Elephant, grumpily.

  New Friends

  Harold
and Penelope were dashing around looking at the dinosaur skeletons. Then they saw a group of schoolchildren.

  “Look, Penelope,” said Harold. “Those children are wearing school uniforms just like ours!”

  “You are right, Harold,” said Penelope. “Let’s creep up and join them.”

  “Are you sure we should do that?” asked Harold.

  “Sure,” said Penelope. “It will be fun, and nobody will notice.”

  Harold and Penelope tiptoed to the group of school children.

  A boy turned around to look at them. “Hey,” he said, “You two are elephants. My name is Trevor.”

  “Uh, no,” said Harold. “We are not elephants. I just have a big nose.”

  “And big ears, too!” piped up Penelope.

  “No,” said another boy, “I know what an elephant looks like. And you two are elephants.”

  “Do you mean that you are not afraid of us?” asked Harold.

  “You are not going to panic?” asked Penelope.

  “Why should we panic?” asked the boy. “My name is Piers, what is yours?”

  “I’m Harold. And this is my sister Penelope,” said Harold.

  “This is our first visit to London,” added Penelope.

  “My name is Gwendolyn,” said a little girl. “Why don’t you join our group? We are about to take a tour of the Museum. Our teacher will not mind if you come along.”

  Harold and Penelope decided that this sounded like fun. So they joined the children as they toured the Museum.

  Trevor had a bag of sweets that he shared with his two new friends. “What do you plan to do in London?” he asked.

  “I want to visit the Tower of London,” said Harold. “But my Mum feels that it is too scary.”

  “Tell her that it will be educational,” said Trevor. He winked. “My parents always agree to do something if it is educational.”

  “Now children,” said a tall lady. “Our tour here is over. It is time for us to return to school.”

  “That is our teacher, Miss Wren,” said Piers. “She is very nice.”

  “Now, now, children,” said Miss Wren. “It is time to gather around.” She motioned to Harold and Penelope. They were hanging behind.

  “Mith Wren,” said a very small boy. He stared at Harold and Penelope and sucked his thumb. “Them ith elephants!” he announced proudly. He took his thumb out of his mouth. And pointed at Harold and Penelope.

  A hush fell over the other children. “No, Clive,” began Gwendolyn. “You have got it all wrong…”

  Miss Wren interrupted Gwendolyn. “Clive, you must not say such things about other people. Even if they do have rather large noses and ears.”

  “Uh, no,” said Harold, thinking quickly. “That is our name, Elefant.”

  “With an F,” piped up Penelope.

  “Oh, you two must be new students,” said Miss Wren. “Hmmm, Elefant…Elefant. What an interesting name… Is it French?”

  “No,” said Harold quickly. He and Penelope joined the other students.

  “Well come along,” said Miss Wren. “You do not want to miss lunch.”

  Harold and Penelope walked with the other children back to their school. They were thinking about the fun adventure they were having.

  When they arrived at the school, it was time for lunch. Harold and Penelope ate fish and chips for lunch with the other children.

  They were served peas with their fish and chips. This made Harold and Penelope very happy. Because (as you know) elephants are very fond of peas.

  After lunch, the children went to their science class. Harold and Penelope followed them. They talked about the interesting things at the Museum of Natural History.

  Calling Scotland Yard

  Mr. and Mrs. Elephant were still in the Natural History Museum. They had looked at the many rocks and minerals.

  “Such beautiful colors! I must use them in my artwork,” said Mrs. Elephant. “Hmmm, I have not seen Harold and Penelope for some time.”

  “Perhaps they are playing hide and seek,” said Mr. Elephant. “Maybe behind those dinosaur skeletons there.”

  Mr. and Mrs. Elephant looked behind all the dinosaur skeletons. But Harold and Penelope were not there.

  “Maybe they went to the café,” said Mr. Elephant. Mr. and Mrs. Elephant walked to the Museum café. But Harold and Penelope were not there either.

  Mrs. Elephant was quickly becoming worried. Mr. Elephant did his best to calm her. “Perhaps they went into the Gift Shop. Penelope always likes to look for new books about dinosaurs.”

  “Yes,” said Mrs. Elephant. “And Harold wants a new game about astronomy.”

  “I am certain that we will find them in there,” said Mr. Elephant.

  Mr. and Mrs. Elephant walked to the Museum Gift Shop. Mrs. Elephant wanted to hurry. But she forced herself not to rush.

  Mr. and Mrs. Elephant looked through the Museum Gift Shop. But they still could not find Harold and Penelope.

  “What if they are lost? Or maybe kidnapped!” said Mrs. Elephant. She was very worried now.

  “We must find a Museum guard,” said Mr. Elephant. “He will be able to find them.”

  So Mr. and Mrs. Elephant found a Museum guard. “Can you please help us?” asked Mr. Elephant. “We cannot find our children.”

  “What did they look like?” asked the Museum guard. He pulled a pad of paper out of his pocket.

  “Er, um,” said Mr. Elephant. He could not tell the Museum guard that his children looked like elephants. “Er, they both have rather large noses. And, um, rather large ears.”

  “They are both wearing school uniforms,” said Mrs. Elephant.

  “Right,” said the Museum guard, closing his notebook. “Do not worry, Mr. Elefant. We will find your children. Hmmm, Elefant… Elefant… That is an interesting name… Is it French?”

  “No,” said Mr. Elephant.

  The museum guard hurried off to tell the other guards. Soon all the Museum guards were searching through the Museum.

  They peeked in all the cupboards. And checked under all the displays. But they still could not find Harold and Penelope.

  Mrs. Elephant was quickly becoming very upset. And she began to cry, “Oh, what has happened to my poor children? What if they have been kidnapped?”

  “Do not worry, Mrs. Elefant,” said the Museum guard. “I will call Scotland Yard. They will find your children.”

  The Museum guard called Scotland Yard. They sent a police car to the Museum.

  Mr. and Mrs. Elephant squeezed into the police car. The police car took them to Scotland Yard.

  There they met the Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard. The Chief Inspector said, “Do not worry, Mr. and Mrs. Elephant. I will send all of my policemen all over London. We will find your children. Hmmm, Elefant… Elefant…That’s an interesting name… Is it French?”

  “No,” said Mr. Elephant. He patted Mrs. Elephant’s shoulder to comfort her. Mr. and Mrs. Elephant described Harold and Penelope.

  A police artist made a drawing of the children. Then the policemen would know what Harold and Penelope looked like.

  The policemen searched all over London for Harold and Penelope. They looked in the Underground. They looked in double-decker buses. They looked in taxis. They looked in telephone call boxes.

  The Royal Mail peeked into the mailboxes. In case Harold and Penelope might be playing hide and seek. The policemen looked all over London. But they still could not find Harold and Penelope.

  Mrs. Elephant was sobbing into her large handkerchief. “Oh, where are my children?” she sobbed. “What if I never see my babies again?”

  “Do not worry, Mrs. Elefant,” said the Chief Inspector. “I have called the Prime Minister. He will find your children.”

  Mr. and Mrs. Elephant squeezed into another police car
. A policeman drove them to Number 10 Downing Street.

  There they met the Prime Minister. He said, “Do not worry, Mr. and Mrs. Elefant. We will record a message about your children. We will play it on the radio and telly. And we will find your children. Hmmm, Elefant… Elefant… That is an interesting name… Is it French?”

  “No,” said Mr. Elephant, in a tired voice.

  Number 10 Downing Street

  It was time for afternoon tea at Miss Wren’s school. Harold and Penelope were enjoying tea with milk and sugar. They ate scones with jam. They were having lots of fun with their new friends.

  Miss Wren and the other teachers were enjoying their teatime. They were in the Teachers’ Lounge. They listened to music on the radio as they ate.

  Then an announcer interrupted the music. “We are sorry,” said the announcer. “We must interrupt this program for a very important announcement.”

  “It is from the Prime Minister and Scotland Yard. Two children who are visiting London with their parents are missing. And their parents are very worried about them.”

  The announcer continued. “The children were last seen at the Museum of Natural History. They both have rather large noses and large ears. And are wearing blue school uniforms. Their names are Harold and Penelope Elefant. That is E-L-E-F-A-N-T, with an F,” said the announcer.

  “Hmmm,” said Mr. Phipps, the school Headmaster. “Elefant…Elefant…That is a very unusual name. I wonder if it is French.”

  “No,” said Miss Wren, setting down her cup of tea. “It most certainly is not.” She rose from her chair. She went to the room where the children were having tea.

  “Harold and Penelope Elefant,” said Miss Wren. “Are you visiting London with your parents?”

  “Yes, Miss Wren,” said Harold, putting down his scone. He knew from her voice that he had done something wrong.