There happened to be an Elephant with purple skin
That caused many a child to laugh and to grin,
They considered it strange, and so ‘out of place’
That, a cheeky smile ne’er left each child's face,
They laughed so much that they even shed tears:

“A Purple Elephant, with purple ears!
Who ever heard of such a silly thing,
Next we’ll be hearing the Elephant sing."

On this did continue for many a day,
Each time he felt more full of dismay,
He thought about travelling, far, far away –
“Perhaps then, my skin will be the normal grey?”
So he did reason inside his mind,
This way he'd be leaving his shame behind.
But, as he thought on, he began to realise
That his shame wasn’t what they saw with their eyes
But, how they made him feel, deep inside,
All this is continued to wound his pride.

Suddenly, one bright and sunny day
A small Blue Mouse just happened by his way.
The Purple Elephant let out a scream
From the fear and shock at what he had seen!
He was just about to turn, quickly away,
When, his attention was caught, as the Blue Mouse did say:
“Please, there’s no need for you to fear me
I’m only a little, Blue Mouse, as you can see.
Why is it that you’re afraid and nervous too?
Please, how I can help – I'd really like to. "

So the Purple Elephant told of all his woes;
How he had few friends, but much more foes.
The little Blue Mouse gave him such caring advice,
Of which he thought was ever so nice:

“Don’t you worry about how others see you,
Because, when it comes to beauty, they haven’t a clue.
Your strength of character is something I admire.
You battle on, where others weaken and tire;
You’re tall in stature, big hearted as well.
How do I know? I’ve watched you and can tell.”

The Purple Elephant smiled, and a tear glistened in his eye,
He found her words touching, and did thus reply:

“O thank you so much, for your kind words so true,
Now, I wonder, is there a favour I...