Meeting Ellie the Elephant – A Lesson in Compassion and Empathy

"Empathy begins when we learn to see the world through the eyes of another living being.”

- Ms.Shikha Yadav

On 17th June, 20 students of Don Bosco High School from Grades IV to VII had the privilege of attending a special session at SIES, Matunga, on the theme of Compassion and Empathy Towards Animals.

The session featured Ellie, the first realistic educational empathy elephant created by PETA India. Ellie is a life-size robotic elephant who visits schools to educate children about kindness, empathy, and respect for animals.

During the interactive session, Ellie shared her touching story about the hardships she endured during ten years in a circus. She explained how she was eventually rescued and taken to a sanctuary, where she finally found a safe and loving home. Listening to her story, the children felt saddened by the suffering that gentle animals often experience.

Ellie helped the students understand that animals have emotions just like humans. They can feel happiness, fear, loneliness, and pain. The children were delighted to learn that Ellie had found a secure and caring environment in which to live. Through her story, they realized that every animal deserves love, care, and respect.

One of the key takeaways from the session was: “Always be kind to animals and protect them whenever you can. A small act of kindness can make a big difference.”

Inspired by the session, the children promised to treat all animals with compassion and respect. They thoroughly enjoyed the interactive experience and gained valuable lessons about caring for all living beings.

The visit was informative, enjoyable, and inspiring for everyone, leaving a lasting impression on the students and encouraging them to become more responsible and compassionate towards animals.