The Elephant and the Bicycle
A funny story about an elephant learning to ride a bicycle, and about patience, practice and saying Bismillah, for ages 4 to 7.
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What is The Elephant and the Bicycle about?
The Elephant and the Bicycle is an interactive Islamic story for children aged 4 to 7 about a big, clumsy elephant who wants to ride a very small bicycle.
Every time he tries, he wobbles and falls over, and his friends laugh. Children help him get back up, pump the tyres and find the right way to balance. Along the way, his friend the mouse reminds him to say Bismillah before he starts, to keep trying, and to say Alhamdulillah when things go well.
The story teaches that everyone finds some things hard, that practice and patience help, and that we start everything with Allah's name. It is a Miraj original, reviewed by Islamic scholars.
What your child will learn
- Everyone finds some things hard when they are learning.
- We say Bismillah before we start something.
- Practice and patience help us get better.
- We thank Allah by saying Alhamdulillah when things go well.
The story of The Elephant and the Bicycle
Once there was an elephant who saw a bicycle leaning against a tree. It was red and shiny, and it was very, very small. "I want to ride that," said the elephant.
He sat on the seat, and the bicycle creaked. He pushed the pedals, and the bicycle wobbled. Then he fell over with a great big thump. All the animals laughed, and the elephant felt silly.
Try again
A little mouse ran up to him. "Everyone falls when they are learning," she said. "Did you say Bismillah before you started?" The elephant had forgotten. So he said Bismillah, climbed back on and tried again. He wobbled, and he fell. But this time he got up faster.
Day after day the elephant practised. Some days he fell, and some days he rode a little further. He never gave up.
Alhamdulillah
One morning, the elephant rode all the way around the lake without falling once. The animals cheered. "Alhamdulillah!" said the elephant, and he gave the mouse a ride on his trunk.
Find more stories about patience.
Talk about it afterwards
- How did the elephant feel when the animals laughed?
- What did the mouse remind him to say?
- What is something you are practising at the moment?
Words to know
- Bismillah
- In the name of Allah. We say it before we start something.
- Alhamdulillah
- All praise is for Allah. We say it to thank Allah.
Frequently asked questions
What age is The Elephant and the Bicycle for?
Children aged 4 to 7. It is short and funny, and it works well as a first story in the app.
What does The Elephant and the Bicycle teach children?
That everyone finds some things hard, that practice and patience help, and that we start with Bismillah and thank Allah afterwards.
