Bringing Up Kari
Introduction
'Bringing Up Kari' is a story about a baby elephant named Kari and the boy who takes care of him. The story follows Kari's growth from a mischievous calf to a helpful, intelligent elephant. It is a warm, humorous account of the bond between humans and elephants.
'An elephant never forgets — and Kari never forgets either. He remembers kindness, mischief, and the boy who raised him.'
2. Summary of the Story
Kari Arrives
The narrator, a young boy, is given a baby elephant named Kari to raise. Kari is five months old when he arrives. He is playful, mischievous, and very curious.
Feeding Kari
Feeding a baby elephant is hard work. Kari needs 4 litres of milk every day. The narrator has to boil the milk, cool it, and feed it to Kari using a special bottle. Kari also eats bananas, sugarcane, and other fruits.
Kari's Mischief
Kari is full of tricks:
- He hides behind trees and surprises people
- He steals food from the kitchen
- He plays in the river and refuses to come out
- He wakes the narrator early in the morning by pulling his blanket
Kari's Intelligence
Despite his mischief, Kari is very intelligent. He learns commands quickly. The narrator teaches him to:
- Sit down and stand up on command
- Pick things up with his trunk
- Carry loads
- Walk carefully so as not to step on people
The Drowning Incident
One day, the narrator falls into a deep part of the river and cannot swim. Kari, who is nearby, quickly dives in, lifts the narrator with his trunk, and carries him to safety. This shows that Kari is not just playful — he is also loyal and protective.
'The elephant is not a pet — it is a friend. Kari's mischief was endless, but so was his love. He saved the boy who raised him.'
3. Characters
| Character | Role | Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Narrator (the boy) | Kari's caretaker | Patient, loving, responsible |
| Kari | Baby elephant | Playful, mischievous, intelligent, loyal |
4. Themes
| Theme | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Human-animal bond | The deep friendship between the boy and Kari |
| Responsibility | Taking care of an animal requires patience and effort |
| Growth | Kari grows from a baby to a helpful elephant |
| Intelligence of animals | Kari shows problem-solving and loyalty |
5. Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Trunk | An elephant's long nose |
| Calf | A baby elephant |
| Mischievous | Playfully causing trouble |
| Drowned | Died by being underwater (here, nearly drowned) |
| Pacify | To calm someone down |
6. Exam Focus
2-Mark Questions
- What is the name of the baby elephant?
- How old was Kari when the narrator got him?
- How much milk did Kari need every day?
- How did Kari save the narrator?
5-Mark Questions
- Describe Kari's mischievous behaviour.
- How did the narrator take care of Kari?
- How did Kari save the narrator's life?
- What does the story teach us about the relationship between humans and animals?
7. Self-Test
Q1. What is the name of the elephant in the story? A1. Kari.
Q2. What does Kari eat besides milk? A2. Bananas, sugarcane, and other fruits.
Q3. How does Kari wake the narrator in the morning? A3. By pulling his blanket with his trunk.
Q4. What did Kari do when the narrator fell into the river? A4. Kari lifted him with his trunk and carried him to safety.
Q5. What lesson does the narrator learn from raising Kari? A5. That animals are intelligent, loyal, and deserve love and care.
Summary
- The narrator raises a baby elephant named Kari from the age of five months.
- Kari is mischievous — he steals food, plays tricks, and wakes the narrator early.
- The narrator feeds Kari, bathes him, and teaches him commands.
- Kari saves the narrator from drowning.
- The story shows the deep bond between humans and elephants.
- It celebrates the intelligence, loyalty, and playfulness of elephants.
