The Elephant's Ball, and Grand Fete Champetre
The Elephant, affronted that insects and birds have been staging balls and feasts that outshine the beasts in fashion and show, resolves to host a grand rural fete surpassing all previous entertainments. Word is sent to beasts far and near, and the Buffalo, Bison, Elk, Antelope, and Pard receive the news with approval. The chosen site is a remote valley sheltered by mountains, planted with trees, and watered by rivers flowing to the sea. Guests arrive in procession: the Lion with his servile Jackall, the starry-coated Leopard, the Tiger forgoing slaughter for pleasure, the Rhinoceros with his bride, the Hyena, the sheep-killing Wolf, the Bear fresh from winter sleep, the Panther, the sharp-eyed Lynx, the Preacher and Glutton, the burden-weary Camel, the reluctant Sloth, the hen-roost-abandoning Fox, and the cunning Monkey eager to display his talents. The Dog and Grimalkin, released from duty, stand guard at the gate and keep the food safe from rats and mice. Hundreds of beasts attend, though many tame, domestic animals stay away out of caution, and each guest is asked to bring a mate. As night falls, the company gathers on a tree-ringed lawn lit by thousands of lamps. A band of animal musicians, including the Ape on hautboy, the Monkey on fiddle, the Orang Outang on harp, the Ass on drum, and the Squirrel on bells, strikes up. The Elephant opens the ball with the Rhinoceros, dancing a minuet; the Lion and Unicorn follow suit, while the Tiger and Leopard dance a jig, Bruin performs a hornpipe, and the Fox, Wolf, and Panther dance reels. Others play cards or board games instead. A lavish supper follows, spread on a grassy table laden with roasted oxen, veal, lamb, mutton, fish, game, poultry, fruit, and sweetmeats, with little interest shown in vegetables or strong drink. Toasts are drunk to the host and the land, songs are sung by the Lion, Tiger, and others, and the revelry continues until dawn, when all the guests return home well pleased with the Elephant's Ball.
By W. B. · First published 1807 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure · 1,361 words
First lines
The insects and birds, with the balls and their feasts / Caus'd much conversation among all the beasts: / The Elephant, famous for sense as for size, / At such entertainments express'd much surprise;
Says he, "shall these impudent tribes of the air, / To break our soft slumbers thus wantonly dare? / Shall these petty creatures, us beasts far below, / Exceed us in consequence, fashion, and show?
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Genres
- Fantasy — The Elephant's Ball, and Grand Fete Champetre is a fantasy book as it features an elephant as the main character, which is not a realistic element.
- Children's Literature — The Elephant's Ball, and Grand Fete Champetre is a children's literature book as it is written in a simple language and features a whimsical plot.
- Adventure — The Elephant's Ball, and Grand Fete Champetre is an adventure book as it follows the main character, an elephant, on a journey of discovery.
- Romance — The Elephant's Ball, and Grand Fete Champetre is a romance book as it features a love story between the elephant and a female character.
Tags
children's literature · illustrated book · fantasy · adventure · animals · celebration · friendship · imagination · whimsical · nature · festivity · colorful illustrations
What this Textopian page supports
The Elephant's Ball, and Grand Fete Champetre is listed on Textopian as a short story by W. B., dated 1807 CE.
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- Work type: Short story
- Author: W. B.
- Date: 1807 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure, Romance
- Length: 1,361 words
- Structure: 1 section, 47 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Elephant's Ball, and Grand Fete Champetre by W. B.
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