In a warm jungle clearing, baby elephant Rumble played happily.

He splashed with joy in a cool, clear puddle, his trunk waving.

Rumble: “This cool water is fun!”

Rumble took a very big, deep gulp of cool, fresh water.

Then, a tiny, unexpected jump shook his whole strong body.

Rumble: “Hiccup! Oh dear, oh dear!”

Another strong hiccup made his large ears flap loudly again.

Rumble: “Hiccup! I truly cannot stop!”

Mama Elara, with her wise, loving eyes, came gently closer.

Mama Elara: “My sweet little one, what is wrong?”

Rumble shuffled his big, grey feet, *Hiccup!* with a sigh.

Rumble: “Still hiccuping so much, Mama.”

Mama Elara: “Let's try a very small tickle.”

Mama Elara gently tickled Rumble's soft tummy with her long trunk.

Rumble: “Hehehe... still a big hiccup!”

They walked slowly to the sparkling river's quiet, sandy edge.

Mama Elara: “Let's count the smooth, round pebbles.”

Rumble carefully dipped his trunk in the cool, flowing water.

Rumble: “One smooth, grey, sleepy stone.”

He picked up another, *Hiccup!* and then another.

Rumble: “Two shiny, dark ones.”

A small, bright blue bird named Chirp landed nearby, softly twittering.

Chirp: “Cheep! Cheep! Look up at me!”

Rumble looked up at friendly Chirp, and slowly forgot to count.

Rumble: “A beautiful little blue bird.”

While watching happy Chirp, Rumble forgot all about his hiccups.

The hiccups grew softer and softer, then quietly disappeared completely.

Rumble: “No more hiccups now, Mama!”

A wide, calm, happy smile spread across his sleepy elephant face.

Mama Elara: “All gone, my dear, sweet one.”

Rumble snuggled very close to Mama Elara as the jungle grew peaceful under the gentle, silver moon. He dreamt peacefully of smooth river stones and his friendly blue bird, Chirp.