Rustem and the White Elephant

In the old stories of Persia, there was a little boy named Rustem. He was strong, but he used his strength to help. He carried water for neighbors and lifted heavy stones from paths.

His father, Zal, had white hair and kind eyes. "Strength is a gift," Zal told him. "Use it to help, not to frighten."

Near the palace lived a gentle white elephant. It belonged to the king and walked in parades with a blue cloth on its back. The elephant loved sweet fruit and cool water, and its keeper sang it sleepy songs at night.

One evening, thunder and drums rolled across the city. The elephant grew scared and slipped out of its gate. People cried, "The king's white elephant is loose!"

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