Once upon a time, in a green and peaceful jungle, there lived many animals — deer, rabbits, monkeys, parrots, and a strong elephant named Gajju. All the animals lived happily together. The jungle was full of laughter and joy. But one day, everything changed when a fierce lion named Sheru entered the forest.
Sheru was not just any lion. He was very proud and cruel. Every day, he would roar loudly and scare the other animals. The rabbits hid in their burrows, the deer ran far away, and even the monkeys stopped swinging on the trees. The jungle was no longer happy.
🦁 A Lion That Made Everyone Afraid
Sheru loved to frighten the animals. He would catch one animal daily and make everyone tremble with fear. All the animals gathered to talk about what to do.
“We cannot live like this anymore,” cried the little rabbit.
“The lion will catch us all one by one,” said the deer.
“Someone must stop him,” said the wise old monkey.
But who could stand against the powerful lion? No one was brave enough… except Gajju, the strong elephant.
🐘 The Elephant Decides to Be Brave
Gajju was kind but also brave. He had seen how scared his friends were. He thought to himself, “If I stay quiet, Sheru will keep hurting everyone. I must face him, no matter how scary it is.”
The next morning, Gajju walked deep into the forest, where the lion lived. He saw Sheru sitting near a big rock, looking for his next victim.
Sheru roared, “Who dares to come here?”
Gajju replied calmly, “I do. I have come to tell you that you can’t harm my friends anymore.”
The lion was surprised. No animal had ever spoken to him like this before.
⚔️ The Brave Face-Off
Sheru tried to scare Gajju. He roared louder, showing his sharp teeth. But Gajju did not move back. Instead, he took a step forward.
The lion jumped toward Gajju, but Gajju lifted his strong trunk and splashed a nearby muddy pond all over Sheru. The lion slipped and fell down with a loud thud!
Sheru got up again and tried to attack, but Gajju wrapped his trunk around him and pushed him far away from the jungle. The lion roared in anger but was too scared to return.
🌿 The Jungle Celebrates
When Gajju returned, all the animals surrounded him and cheered, “Hooray for Gajju! Our brave friend!”
The little rabbit hopped happily, the monkeys danced, and the parrots chirped in joy. From that day on, Sheru never came back to the jungle.
Gajju became a hero, not because he was the biggest, but because he was the bravest.
🌟 Moral of the Story: Courage Wins Fear
Even the strongest enemies can be defeated when you face them with courage and confidence. Gajju, the elephant, didn’t let fear control him — and that’s why he saved his friends and brought happiness back to the jungle.
👉 Moral: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the strength to face it.”
✨ Why This Story Is Great for Kids
- ✔ Encourages bravery and self-belief
- ✔ Teaches children the importance of standing up for what’s right
- ✔ Builds confidence and leadership skills
- ✔ Perfect for bedtime storytelling or classroom reading
📚 Free Printable PDF Download
You can print this story and let your kids read it offline too. It’s perfect for classrooms, story time, or bedtime.
👉 [Download The Brave Elephant and the Lion – Printable PDF]
🧠 Fun Activity Idea
After reading the story, ask your child:
- 🐘 Who was the bravest in the story?
- 🦁 Why did the lion get scared in the end?
- 🌟 What would you do if your friends were in trouble?
This activity helps kids think, learn moral values, and build confidence.