Toomai of the Elephants by Rudyard Kipling

Toomai, the young son of an elephant handler, longs to be accepted as a true elephant man. When he secretly follows his elephant into the jungle and witnesses the legendary "dance of the elephants," he earns the respect of the older hunters. The plot blends realism and myth, highlighting the bond between human and animal. Toomai’s courage and curiosity drive his rite of passage. It’s a story of tradition, wonder, and earning one’s place in the world.