Golu Grows a Nose — Rudyard Kipling
Introduction
'Golu Grows a Nose' is a 'Just So' story by Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). It is a whimsical explanation of how the elephant got its trunk. Golu is a baby elephant with a short, stubby nose. He is full of questions. His curiosity leads him to the edge of the Limpopo River, where a crocodile teaches him a lesson — and gives him a new, very useful nose.
'Kipling's Just So stories are 'origin tales' — they explain how animals got their unique features. But they are also stories about curiosity, courage, and the joy of discovery.'
2. About the Author
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Rudyard Kipling |
| Born | 30 December 1865 |
| Died | 18 January 1936 |
| Nationality | British |
| Nobel Prize | Literature, 1907 |
| Famous works | The Jungle Book, Kim, Just So Stories |
3. Summary of the Story
Golu's Small Nose
Once, long ago, elephants had no trunks. They had only a small, black, stubby nose — no bigger than a boot. Golu, a baby elephant, had such a nose.
Golu's Questions
Golu is a very curious elephant. He asks everyone questions:
- He asks the ostrich why her tail feathers grow that way
- He asks the giraffe why her skin is spotty
- He asks the hippopotamus why her eyes are red
- He asks the parrot about everything
The Crocodile
Golu asks the Kolokolo bird what the crocodile eats for dinner. The Kolokolo bird directs him to the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River.
The Meeting
At the river, Golu meets a crocodile. The crocodile pretends to be friendly and asks Golu to come closer. When Golu puts his nose near the crocodile's mouth, the crocodile grabs it and pulls.
The Stretch
'This is bad,' said Golu. The crocodile pulled harder. Golu pulled back. His nose stretched and stretched — longer and longer.
The New Nose
Eventually, Golu won the tug-of-war, but his nose was now a long trunk! At first, he was sad about his stretched nose. But then he discovered its many uses:
- He could pick up grass
- He could swat flies
- He could spray water
- He could reach high branches
Golu realised his new nose was actually wonderful. He returned home, and all the other elephants went to the Limpopo to get their noses stretched too.
'Golu thought his long nose was a disaster — until he discovered he could do things with it that no other animal could. What seemed like a curse became the greatest gift.'
4. Characters
| Character | Role | Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Golu | Baby elephant | Curious, brave, full of questions |
| Kolokolo Bird | Guide | Helpful, mysterious |
| Crocodile | Antagonist | Tricky, dangerous |
| Other animals | Teachers | Various |
5. Themes
| Theme | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Curiosity | Golu's questions lead to adventure |
| Transformation | Something that seems bad turns out to be good |
| Growing up | Childhood curiosity leads to new abilities |
| The origin story | Explains how elephants got trunks |
6. Literary Devices
| Device | Example |
|---|---|
| Just So story | A fictional explanation of a natural feature |
| Onomatopoeia | 'Schloop!' — the sound of the crocodile pulling |
| Repetition | 'Great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River' |
| Personification | Animals talk and act like humans |
| Humour | The absurd idea of a nose being stretched |
| Moral lesson | Look for the good in unexpected changes |
7. Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Trunk | An elephant's long nose |
| Stubby | Short and thick |
| Limpopo | A river in Africa |
| Tug-of-war | A game where two sides pull against each other |
| Curious | Eager to learn or know |
8. Exam Focus
2-Mark Questions
- What was Golu's nose like at first?
- Why did Golu go to the Limpopo River?
- What did the crocodile do to Golu?
- What happened to Golu's nose?
5-Mark Questions
- Describe the journey of Golu from a small-nosed elephant to an elephant with a trunk.
- What did Golu discover he could do with his new nose?
- Why is this called a 'Just So' story?
- What is the moral of 'Golu Grows a Nose'?
9. Self-Test
Q1. What did the crocodile say he would eat for dinner? A1. He did not say directly — Golu was sent to find out.
Q2. What colour is the Limpopo River? A2. Great grey-green, greasy.
Q3. What did Golu's nose look like before the crocodile pulled it? A3. Small, black, stubby — no bigger than a boot.
Q4. What is the first useful thing Golu did with his new trunk? A4. He picked up grass.
Q5. What did the other elephants do when they saw Golu's trunk? A5. They went to the Limpopo River to get their noses stretched too.
Summary
- Golu is a curious baby elephant with a small, stubby nose.
- He goes to the Limpopo River to ask the crocodile what he eats.
- The crocodile grabs Golu's nose and pulls it into a long trunk.
- Golu is sad at first but discovers his trunk is very useful.
- All the other elephants follow his example.
- The story is a playful explanation of how elephants got their trunks.
- It teaches that change can be good, and curiosity brings knowledge.
