One morning, Elmer, the patchwork elephant, met a group of elephants who didn't look very happy.

"What's the matter?" asked Elmer.

"What's the matter is that it's cold," said one of the elephants. "That's what's the matter."

"It's not really cold," said Elmer. "It's just a bit colder than usual. What you need is a good walk to warm you up. Come on, come with me."

Elmer led the elephants in a direction they didn't normally go. The way went steeply upwards and the elephants were soon puffing with effort.

"I'm very warm now, thank you, Elmer," said one of the elephants. "Shall we go back?"

"Not yet," said Elmer. "Keep going."

After they had gone further, an elephant said, "Elmer, look at the trees, they're different here."

"That's because we are so high up," said Elmer. "Come on, there's something I want to show you."

A little latter the elephants came out into the open and they stared at the sight - everywhere was white.

"SNOW!" they shouted. Although they had heard about snow, this was the first time they had actually seen any.

The elephants rushed forward and roared with laughter as they played in the snow.

"It's really cold," called one of the elephants.

"Cold but fun," laughed another.

"Now come and look at this," called Elmer.

He was sliding on the ice of a pond that had frozen solid. One by one the others curiously joined him.

Soon the elephants were slipping and sliding and crashing and falling and really enjoying themselves.

They didn't notice Elmer quietly sneak away.

The elephants forgot all about Elmer until they heard his

voice nearby.

"Help! Help! I've frozen solid."

The elephants stopped playing and hurried to find Elmer.

To their dismay, there stood a white elephant.

"He has, he's frozen solid," gasped one of the elephants.