Little Thunderfoot is born into a happy herd of elephants: his mother Sundance, his grandmother Wise Old One and lots of aunts and cousins. Thunderfoot particularly enjoys the company of his grandmother. One day Wise Old One warns the herd of danger, and as they turn to stampede, she is shot and falls. Little Thunderfoot waits to see her get up, but when she doesn't move, he runs with the rest. The herd huddle together overnight and next day go back to where Wise Old One has fallen . They touch her all over lovingly with their trunks and then bury her in tufts of grass and earth. Little Thunderfoot learns to live happily again with the rest of the herd, but his grandmother will always be remembered. The facts about elephant herd life are correct, and the memorable pictures reflect this.