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The White Elephant

A white elephant is an idiom for a gift or project that seems like a wonderful thing, but which in reality is a burden. For example, a sports car would make a wonderful gift, but the price of gas and the insurance—not to mention the cost of maintaining the running condition of the sports car—makes it a burden for someone making an average salary.

Fleischman wrote this story based on an old story in which the King of Siam (today’s Thailand) is angry with one of his courtiers. The king gives the courtier a white elephant, which drains the courtier’s resources and ruins him. Fleischman’s story explains the subtle nuance of the idiom in a way students will easily understand. Fleischman also creates a rich world that most students have never experienced.

Grade Level: 4-5

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: Chapter Book

Content:

Animal Stories
Societal Concerns
World History