All the elephants of the jungle were gray except Elmer, who was a patchwork of brilliant colors until the day he got tired of being different and making the other elephants laugh.

Elmer, the patchwork elephant, plays an amusing trick on his grey elephant friends.

Elmer the patchwork elephant helps the excited youngsters prepare for the Christmas visit of Papa Red.

Aunt Zelda has a gift to give to Elmer from his Grandpa Eldo, but she can't remember what it is or where it is. Zelda's memory sometimes escapes her, and her hearing isn't what it used to be, so they set off together to find Grandpa Eldo and solve the mystery of the forgotten gift. Elmer's love, patience, and respect for his Aunt Zelda and Grandpa Eldo make for a heart-warming depiction of family life with elderly relatives.

Once a year on Elmer's Day, all the elephants decorate themselves and have a parade, and this year Elmer comes up with a plan to include the other animals as well as the elephants.