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Radhika tells us about the time she spent with elephants, exclusively for Different Truths.
If on the other hand, you are lucky to see an elephant in its element in nature, you would never forget the experience. The first feeling is that of awe, followed by respect. Somehow a wild elephant reminds us of its power, beauty and uniqueness more than its captive counterpart. There is no such thing as a domestic elephant as an elephant is forever wild. Which is why they have to be chained and shackled and beaten into submission to make them “behave”. It is not until their beautiful spirit is literally broken and that’s what they call it, “breaking the spirit” that they can control it. Literally.
But not being as wise as I am today, I have made the error of riding an elephant as a kid. Not knowing the full extent of the pain that the poor animal goes through. Though I remember feeling his skin with my hands and trying to show my love to him somehow, hoping that he would feel it.
I remember feeding bananas to elephants begin on the street and how much I wanted the elephant to like me back. For me, an elephant’s approval meant a lot more than most people’s. I think it still does.
Many years later, in Kaziranga, I saw herds of wild elephant walking purposefully and powerfully through the tall grasses and I was in love.
Soon after, I was lucky enough to spend a month is a wildlife rescue center, working
Those were beautiful days, when we would return in the afternoon and take the elephants for a dip in the water hole. What fun would ensue, with the calves jostling, shoving each other, splashing water and mud and later exploring my face, my clothes and my hair with the same trunks, leaving me tickled, mud covered and happy.
I remember one morning over all others when it was my birthday and I had stayed awake the whole night before to see the sunrise. With the first light of day, I had a strong urge to go by the elephant enclosure to have a look at them. A beautiful sight awaited me with all six calves standing in a snug line, side by side, with their bodies huddled as they slept soundly. Everything was quiet and there was just me admiring these baby elephant as they slept. I would give a lot to go back there in that moment.
Just the same way, we tend to be blind to the depth, wisdom, strength and love that elephants embody as sentient beings, until we finally observe them in their true state in nature. It is only then that we can relate to the suffering these animals are subjected to by humans and there is always the hope that the pain may spark us into action to do our bit to protect them from any further harm. All said and done, in the end, the truth is that all good things, are wild and free and even though they say an elephant never forgets, you never forget an elephant either.
Photos from the Internet
Radhika-When I was growing up I heard stories about elephantine memory-wonderful write up. Loved it.