ELLA
"Ella was such an intelligent creature
She had learned every trick that her trainer could teach her.
The crowds which packed in to the big top each night
Applauded and cheered Ella's act with delight.
She took it all in with her great ears outspread
So it all went directly to Ella's big head.
She grew as conceited and spoiled as could be
Which caused Ella trouble as you will soon see."
ROUGH DRAFT OF ELLA
Copyright 1964 by William B. Peet, Houghton
Mifflin Co. Boston
This story reveals my dad's
love for circuses and Indiana farms. It features a vain, self-centered
elephant that needs to be unspoiled. Ella learns to appreciate the
circus after working on a farm. Originally the elephant was named Big
George.
Elephants were probably my father's favorite animal. Three other stories featured elephants: Encore for Eleanor, The Ant and the Elephant, and his first book Hubert's Hair-raising Adventure. Bill Peet, Jr.