Ellie Gets a New Idea - A Story About Thinking Outside the Box
Ellie is a famous elephant painter. Hundreds of people come to see her paint every day, and lately, she has been stuck on what to paint next for her performance at the zoo.
It’s always the same old picture of abstract blobs on the canvas, but she wanted more. So, she asked her mom for advice.
“Mom, I need your help to come up with new ideas to paint.”
Her mom said, “You need to think outside the box.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means to think of something that you normally wouldn’t do and leave the box. Baths normally help with brainstorming.” Her mom said as they walked over to the watering hole.
Her mother filled her big long trunk full of cold water and spurted it onto Ellie. Ellie loved playing with her ball while getting a bath because it was more fun than just sitting there. She was bouncing her ball in place when she got an idea. Her mom was right. While in the bath she had gotten an idea how to go think outside the box.
When all the other elephants were asleep, she left by jumping on top of her ball to jump over the wall. She managed to escape the elephant enclosure to go for a walk. She walked around the zoo at night, undetected like a ninja.
“Think, think, think.” she said quietly to herself as she scratched the top of her head with her trunk.
“Keep it down. I’m trying to sleep. What’s your problem?” the monkey said.
“I’m sorry. I’m just trying to think outside the box about what I should paint” Ellie said.
“Well, you could paint yourself.” the monkey suggested.
“Why would I put paint on myself?
“No, no, no. Not literally. I mean like a self-portrait.” the monkey laughing as he clarified.
“Oh, thanks.” Ellie said as she left.
Ellie kept walking and thinking because she couldn’t paint a self-portrait because she didn’t have a mirror, so she can’t see herself.
“Think, think, think.” she said quietly to herself as she scratched the top of her head with her trunk.
A peacock was strolling in the night too when they bumped into each other. It wasn’t just any peacock; Ellie knew him. Usually Mr. Peacock strolls throughout the entire zoo during the day, but he couldn’t sleep.
“Hey, watch where you’re going.”
“Oh sorry, Mr. Peacock.”
“Ellie? Why are you out of your enclosure?”
Mr. Peacock asked surprised.
“I was thinking what I should paint next.”
“The people love your paintings. Why do you want to change it?”
“Because I want to be more creative.” Ellie explained.
“Well, you could add more color like my tail feathers.” he suggested as he spread open his tail.
“Thanks, Mr. Peacock. That sounds like a great idea.” Ellie said as she left.
Ellie kept walking and thinking when she passed the giraffe enclosure.
“Think, think, think.” she said quietly to herself as she scratched the top of her head with her trunk.
But this time she ran into one of the zookeepers. They swarmed and captured her. They brought her back inside the box. She was returned back to her mom who was worried sick about her. Ellie confronted her mother and explained why she left.
Her mom replied laughing, “It’s just an expression, silly. I didn’t really actually mean leave to think.”
“Well, I finally know what to paint now.”
The next morning, when it was time for her performance, she grabbed the paint brush in her trunk, and she painted like she never painted before with such passion.
The crowd oohed and awed.
When she was finished she was so glad she thought outside the box.
She took the monkey’s and Mr. Peacock’s advice, painting a portrait based on her mother; shrinking her down to her size so it’s more like her and a colorful background to match his feather.
The crowd cheered louder than ever as they were impressed by her super creative painting.
Thinking outside the box helped her overcome her problem.
The End
@hopehuggs <3
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wow amazing story thanks a lot for sharing have a great day.
This is a great story. Thinking outside doesn't mean going far beyond you. Ideas are like water, it splashes all over you when poured. Ellie just needed a boost to redefine her creative, the monkey and peacock helped with that. Mama's advice are always the best
Love this story. Great reminding people there are plenty of people on here to talk to. 🐓🐓
Hey, just wanted to let you know I gave you an upvote because I appreciate your content! =D See you around
I like this story, just like the vaccine, we did to be reminded sometimes of little things such as "thinking outside the box":
and to ask those around us (like the monkey and Mr. Peacock) for tips:
Steemit community has a wealth of talent to learn from and eases the need to look elsewhere for ideas at times
This is amazing story loved it reading dear,great work once again.
Very educative and informative ,thinking outside the box is always have had sometimes but simply the best option for new innovation.
Hello @hopehuggs, I love your story, it is super fun and colorful ideal for the little ones in the house and the classroom, thanks for sharing. Regards!!
Hello!
Your stories are simply amazing, they color the weekdays with colors. Always have a basis for reflection.
In this story, the essence of the homeless people is clearly revealed. They have no bright life. They sit only in their "box" and do not see anything else. But in order to develop and improve, you need to expand the limits of your consciousness. After all, sometimes this very "box" is in our head. Do not stop reading books or even write it yourself. Do every day something that will be unusual for you, until your box at all disappears.
all of your post is always so informative,so i regularly follow your blog. love to read it.........