Horton the Elephant hears a faint noise coming from a small speck of dust; it seems to him like a tiny person is calling out for help. Horton finds it peculiar that a dust speck could speak so he reasons that there must be a very small creature on it. Without being able to see the creature, he seems to know it is there and that it is his duty to save it from harm. The other animals in the jungle see him speak to the dust speck and find it impossible that there could be a creature living on it. No one believes poor Horton, but he holds tight to what he knows is true and learns from the voice that there exists an entire universe. The jungle animals persist that Horton is being absurd and take measures to eliminate the speck of dust. No matter, Horton knows the truth and pleads with the Who’s to make themselves heard to the jungle animals. Finally, all the townspeople come together and make enough noise for the animals to hear; they have proven their existence and the jungle animals are able to know what Horton has known all along.