Babar the Elephant

Babar the Elephant is a popular French children's fictional character who first appeared in L'Histoire du Babar by Jean de Brunhoff in 1931 and enjoyed immediate success. English language versions entitled The Story of Babar, appeared in 1933 in Britain and the USA. The story is based on a tale de Brunhoff's wife, Cecile, had invented for their children. It tells of a young elephant called Babar who leaves the jungle, visits a big city, and returns to bring the benefits of civilisation to his fellow elephants.

Story of Babar

Babar is the son of the King of the Elephants but Babar's mother is killed by cruel hunters, and wandering alone he finds his way to France where he is brought up by an Old Lady in Paris. He eventually returns to the Elephant realm following the death of the previous King, who had eaten some poisonous mushrooms. In later books Babar marries his cousin, Celeste, and founds the city of Celesteville. Babar, who tends to wear a bright green suit, introduces a very French form of western civilization to the elephants, and causes them to dress in western attire.

Related Topics:
Mushroom - French form of western civilization

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Among Babar's other associates are the monkey Zephir, the old elephant counsellors Cornelius and Pompadour, his cousin Arthur, and his children, Flora, Pom, and Alexander. The Old Lady from Paris comes to live in the Kingdom as an honoured guest. Despite the presence of these counsellors, Babar's rule seems to be totally independent of any elected body, and completely autocratic. Despite appearing to be a benevolent dictator, Babar's Kingdom has attracted the attention of the UN, of which it is a member.

Related Topics:
Monkey - Autocratic - Benevolent dictator - Babar's Kingdom - UN

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Besides his Westernizing policies, Babar has also engages in warfare with the warlike rhinoceroses.

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