An Elephant And Piggie Biggie!: Summary & Key Insights

Piggie wakes up with a radiant certainty that today is the day she will fly. Gerald, with all his logical good sense, tells her that pigs cannot fly. Their exchange is playful yet meaningful: Piggie’s determination embodies the courage of belief, while Gerald’s doubt represents the realism that so often guards us from disappointment. I wrote this story as an ode to perseverance and imagination—the belief that trying is part of flying, even if your feet never leave the ground.

As the tale unfolds, Piggie’s optimism inspires readers to reconsider what ‘flying’ really means. Maybe it’s not about wings but about something lighter and more profound—hope. Gerald’s skepticism comes from care, not cynicism; he doesn’t want Piggie to get hurt. But Piggie’s excitement is unstoppable, and soon an unexpected twist proves her partially right. The moment Piggie feels lifted, supported by a friend, she ‘flies’ after all. For young readers, it’s a revelation that friendship can turn doubt into encouragement.

‘Today I Will Fly!’ shows that dreams matter just as much as outcomes. It teaches children that every attempt, even an imperfect one, brings them closer to understanding their own strength. Gerald and Piggie demonstrate the dynamic between encouragement and caution—two sides that, when balanced, nurture growth. And perhaps the most beautiful thing about this story is that Gerald’s doubt doesn’t diminish Piggie’s joy; instead, it transforms into shared wonder, reminding us that believing together is the real way to fly.

This story begins with Piggie’s exuberance and Gerald’s carefulness—a familiar rhythm in their friendship. When Piggie finds Gerald’s ball, she decides to throw it without hesitation. Gerald, meticulous and precise, wants her to understand the appropriate technique, the seriousness of throwing. Piggie, in her effervescent way, throws it wildly and exclaims with pride. The ball doesn’t go far, but her excitement fills the air.

Here we see the contrast between play and performance, effort and enjoyment. Gerald measures success by skill; Piggie measures it by fun. Both perspectives have value, though they initially clash. Gerald’s frustration at Piggie’s lack of seriousness reveals how easy it is to forget the joy of play when we focus only on doing things ‘right.’ Piggie’s laughter teaches him that enthusiasm can transform an ordinary act into something meaningful.

Writing this story, I wanted children to see that fun and effort are not opposites—they complete each other. Gerald learns that Piggie’s energy fuels creativity; Piggie learns that precision has its own charm. The moment they both throw the ball for fun marks the turning point: the act of sharing replaces the need to prove anything.

Readers often recognize themselves in either Piggie or Gerald. The story holds a mirror up to our inner perfectionist and our inner dreamer, reminding us that laughter carries its own wisdom. It encourages children to find balance—to enjoy trying even when they haven’t mastered a skill yet. For adults, it’s a subtle invitation to remember what it feels like to play simply for the joy of it.