Norman PhartEphant: First New Day
Written by Angela Larson, Illustrated by Kenny Durkin,
Page 1
Hello, I'm Norman, Norman PhartEphant. I'm an African elephant who was adopted by this US zoo. Alfrebit was alone, but now I'm here, and we are a family of two.
Page 2
Since coming to the zoo my diet has changed and now- I fart. I fart a lot. You might think it is fun to fart, but when you fart all the time, it is not.
Page 3
If I was alone, farting might not bother me- well, other than the smell. The thing is, I'm not alone. I don't want to be alone- I'm with Alfrebit.
Page 4
Even if Alfrebit stands quietly in the corner pretending to sleep, I know he is listening, watching, and waiting- waiting for something interesting to happen. With Alfrebit's great ears, he must hear me fart. But even if he misses the sound, he can catch the stink.
Page 5
This zoo is new to me: the sights, the sounds, the smells, the other animals, and most of all- the food. Everything is different than in Africa. Not better and not worse, just different.
Page 6
So here's the thing about farting: when a fart leaves my body, I'm in for a surprise. Will it be loud? Will it be quiet? Will it be short? Will it be long?
Page 7
Will it stink? It is amazing that my body can be an instrument and make such sounds. It is amazing that the mix of gasses in my tummy can create such a symphony. The real surprise is in the timing. Farts sneak up on me, when I least expect them.
Page 8
When I first came to the zoo, I found it a bit scary. I didn't know anyone. I was even afraid of Alfrebit. But as I looked around, I became curious about what I saw.
Page 9
Next door was a collection of animals of brilliant colors like butterflies, but with teeth and claws like lions, and as sinister and silent as panthers. I had never seen anything like them before.
Page 10
One day, one of the smaller creatures was dozing
by the fence, soaking in the
rays of the sun.
Page 11
I snuck close to examine its fur of orange and black stripes. When I was near, I could see that each hair was either orange or black, not striped.
Page 12
All of a sudden, one eye opened looking at me. Then the other. The eyebrows began to fold and the top lip rose. With teeth bared, the animal made a low rumble which rose into a growl.
Page 13
I became scared. I wanted to back away. I wanted to be invisible. And just in that moment...
Page 14
"Excuse me," I said quickly to the creature now smiling before me. As she sat up, the growl disappeared and the bared teeth began to look friendly. She said, "I've never heard such a loud fart before. I guess you elephants with your greater size can make a bigger sound than us tigers."
Page 15
"You fart too?" I asked.
Page 16
"Yes," she replied, "but I try not to around others. Tigers have an image to protect. We try to look intimidating."
Page 17
"Hello, I'm Norman."
"Well hello, Norman. I'm Ty," she responded.
Page 18
The rest of the day Ty and I chatted about what elephants and tigers had in common; we both love being outside, fresh air, and fresh food.
Page 19
But I was amazed by our differences: Ty is from India, whereas I'm from Africa.
Page 20
Ty has brothers and sisters
and lives in a pride
(a large family) whereas
I live with Alfrebit
(just the two of us).
Page 21
Ty lives mostly in the jungle, eats meat, and is an expert tree climber. I can walk for miles through woods, forest and plains, I prefer to eat vegetables, and I can knock over trees, but not climb them.
Page 22
That evening, I shared
with Alfrebit what
I had learned about
Ty and India.
Page 23
Alfrebit smiled at me and said, "Congratulations on the new friend, my little gassy machine. Tomorrow you must meet Zip. He's from Australia."
Page 24
I went to sleep
excited about tomorrow.
