Why didn't lily believe that there were once live elephants the giver?

In "The Giver," Lily expresses skepticism about the existence of live elephants because she has only ever known a world devoid of such animals. The community in which she lives has eliminated all memories of the past, including the presence of elephants, to maintain control and sameness. As a result, Lily's understanding of reality is limited to her immediate experiences, making it difficult for her to accept the idea of something as magnificent as an elephant ever existing.