The Memoirs of a White Elephant

ng not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me something

g about up there in the rafters. They are kept here to preserve us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this palace died wi

his account. No others could be discovered, notwithstanding the incessant hunts which were made throughout the forests. I

asked I. "What is there extraordinary about us?

into White Elephants. We are therefore ancient Kings; though, for my part, I have no recollection of having been either a man or a Ki

nything. They think the colour of our skin results from disease, and so consider us inferior to themselve

d lived so long and seen so much. I never tired of asking hi

language of elephants. Over and over he had to begin again and repeat; but he was never im

their benediction." He tried to make me understand who they were, but although I pretended out of politeness to do so, I

their ears stood out, and they wor

his remarks, he took from the hand of one of his followers a mop with an ivory handle, while another one held a basin of water, in which he dipped the mop, and commenced to sprinkle me in a way that displeased me exceedingly.

ave a loud scream of triumph, to proclaim my victory, and my satisfaction!...

ake way for us, and others held over our heads magnificent umbrellas. It was in our own park that the beau

us ended the day, which had certainly b

day to day, with the exception of

sing to me. It was my daily lesson, which I h

ke me understand the indispensible words of command, such as "Forward," "Backward," "Kneel," "Rise," "Right," "Le

ing these orders to me in elephant-speech

onously. Prince-Formidable died the second year after my arrival.

the new ones were very ignorant, and seemed sulky and rebelliou