Elmer and Snake

A group of mischievous elephants decide to play a trick on Elmer, the famous multicolour patchwork elephant, so they ask Snake for help.

Snake's advice is that they tell Elmer he looks pale so that he will believe he is ill, but the crafty Snake also tells Elmer of the plan, suggesting that he covers himself in a thin coat of mud to trick the other elephants into thinking he really is ill.

When the other elephants become worried about Elmer, Snake suggests they tickle him and as the dried mud cracks open, they realise that Snake has tricked them all - including poor Elmer! This wonderful story with its brightly coloured illustrations has perennial appeal.