Read an Excerpt

Chapter 1

A Letter from America 

     Once upon a time, a family of elephants lived in London.  Mr. Elephant was the Ambassador to London from their home country of Elephas.  Mrs. Elephant helped her husband to be the ambassador.  She was also an artist who loved to paint and make statues.  

     Mr. and Mrs. Elephant had two children named Harold and Penelope.  They went to school in London, where they had many friends.

     Penelope was the smartest student in their class.  She planned to be a paleontologist when she grew up.  

     Penelope loved to read books about dinosaurs and other extinct animals.  But she did not just like books about dinosaurs.  She loved to read any book about any subject.

     Harold was not as good a student as Penelope.  He liked to spend his time playing games with his friends.  His favorite games were those he made up with his toy soldiers.

     Harold had a large collection of toy soldiers.  He was always careful to save his pocket money.  Then he could add new soldiers to his collection.

     Harold wanted to be an astronaut when he grew up.  Harold and Penelope’s teacher was named Miss Wren.  She often reminded Harold, “Now, Harold. You must study harder if you want to travel into space.  You will need better grades in math and science.”  

     One day, Mrs. Elephant opened a letter.  “Oh, look,” she said.  “This is from one of my old students.”  

     Before the family had moved to London, Mrs. Elephant was an art teacher.  She had taught art classes at the Elephas University.  She was an excellent teacher.  And her classes were very popular with the students.

     “Which one?” asked Mr. Elephant.

     “Maria Gonzales,” said Mrs. Elephant.  “You remember her.  She came to Elephas from the United States to study art.”

     “I remember her!” piped up Harold.  She used to make yummy empanadas.”  He rubbed his stomach and smacked his lips.

     “Oh, Harold,” said Penelope.  “You always remember food!”

     “What is wrong with that?” asked Harold.  “And she made flan, too!”

     Mrs. Elephant continued reading her letter.  “Maria says she is back in America.  She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Oh!  How wonderful!  She is going to have her first big art show.  And she wants us to come see it!”

     Harold and Penelope jumped up and down.  “Yay!” cried Harold.  “Can we please go?  I want to see cowboys and Indians fighting!”

     Mr. Elephant laughed.  “I do not think you will see too many cowboys.  Not in the city of Albuquerque.  You might see some Native Americans.  But they will not be fighting cowboys.”

     “But I want to see someone get scalped,” said Harold.

     “Oh, Harold.  Do not say such horrible things,” said Mrs. Elephant.  “Nobody gets scalped anymore.  At least, I hope not,” she shuddered.

     “Well, I want to see the dinosaurs,” said Penelope.  “The desert is a great place to find fossils.”

     “Dusty old bones,” said Harold.

     Penelope stuck out her tongue at him.  “And the things the Native Americans left behind.  Like stone carvings, pottery, and arrowheads.”

     “Arrowheads?” asked Harold.  “If I can’t see somebody get scalped, I’d like an arrowhead.”

     “It is settled then,” said Mrs. Elephant.  “I have always wanted to visit the American Southwest.  The views are wonderful.  I must pack extra paints and canvasses.  Then I can paint some landscapes.”

     “What sort of art is Maria showing?” asked Mr. Elephant.

     Mrs. Elephant read the letter again.  “Hmmm, she does not say.”

     “What kind of art did she study?” asked Mr. Elephant.

     “All different kinds,” said Mrs. Elephant.  “She took classes in drawing, painting, and making statues.  She just could not make up her mind.”

     “Well, I guess we will find out in Albuquerque,” said Mr. Elephant.  

     Mr. Elephant became serious.  “Remember that elephants are not very common in America.  People might become afraid if they see an elephant in New Mexico.  So we must continue to wear our disguises.”

     In England, Mr. and Mrs. Elephant wore raincoats and carried umbrellas.  Harold and Penelope wore school uniforms.  When they wore their disguises, they looked like an ordinary English family.