Umboo tried, but his trunk was not long enough.
"I guess the only way to get the nuts is to break down the tree; but how can I do that?" he asked.
"Your head is the strongest part of you," said Mrs. Stumptail. "See if you can knock the tree over."
"Bang!" went Umboo's head against the tree. The tree shook and shivered, and a few nuts were knocked down, but not enough.
"Well," said the elephant boy, as he banged the tree again, "I don't mind doing this for fun, as it doesn't hurt, but the tree doesn't seem to be coming down very fast. And I can't get the nuts until it does. What shall I do, mother?"
"Just think a little harder," said Mrs. Stumptail. "I want you to grow up to be a smart elephant boy, and to do that you must think for yourself. I shall not always be with you. Try and think now how to get the tree down."
"I know!" cried Umboo. "I can pull it over with my trunk!"
He wrapped his long trunk around the tree and began to pull. He had often pulled up small trees and bushes this way, but the palm nut tree was stronger. Though Umboo pulled and pulled, digging his feet hard down into the ground, the tree did not come up.
"Oh, dear!" said the elephant boy. "I don't believe anyone can get this tree down, Mother!"
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mrs. Stumptail. "Don't be such a baby. Think hard, Umboo! You can easily uproot that tree and get all the nuts you want. Let me see you do it!"