Why is the Elephant's Nose Long? WORLD PICTURE BOOK Gakken 0001-9182 Illustrations by Makiko Lowderberg / Text by Hisako Mazoko Format: Large-format color Size: 27 x 22 cm / 28 pages Release Date: 2003 Price: ¥- Contents The Elephant's Nose of Old: Long ago, the elephant's nose wasn't long like it is now; it was short and stubby, like a "boot." The Curious Baby Elephant: There was once a very curious baby elephant who always asked "Why?" One day, the baby elephant wondered, "What does the crocodile eat for dinner?" and set off on an adventure to find out. Encounter with the Crocodile: When the baby elephant met a crocodile by the river and brought its nose close to ask a question, the crocodile bit the tip of its nose. The Nose Lengthens: The crocodile tried to pull the baby elephant into the water, and the baby elephant struggled to escape. As a result of this intense "tug-of-war," the baby elephant's nose grew and grew longer. Discovery of a Convenient Nose: At first, the baby elephant was confused by its elongated nose, but then it realized that it could use its long nose to pick fruit from high places and spray water on itself. From then on, the elephant's nose became long and convenient. This is the story.