The Memoirs of a White Elephant

ts warmth. We were saved. And this joy compe

standing before me, he

e said, "at this moment my he

sm, have inspired in me. Oh! Iravata, had it pot been for thee, Saphire-of-Heaven, in robes of mourning, would have wept my death; without thee I should never have lived to behold my child! My name would have been dishonoured by a disgraceful dea

stood that if I had a "Soul," it was simply a good, plain, elephant soul-a

d kindly; while I by all the means in my power-flapping my

reafter you shall always be treated as an e

s may return in force, now that

over a bed of rocks and pebbles. I was able to wade across with ease a short distance below the cataract, which fell, scattering itself in snowy foam, which the sunlight

ad been dashed to pieces there,

he plain covered with fresh grass, growin

advantage of at once. I am sorry that I cannot, like you, breakfast

ring the pangs of hunger? I continued

o eat because I am compelled to go fasting. But this will not do. I kn

with thirst, and I dran

stomach being empty

and grass, but without stopping. I looked ev

eg! I have only succeeded in saving my royal Signet. The idea came to me to remove from my finger the ring on which it is engraved, and conceal it in my mouth. But I cannot barter this Seal, which will

ght. He could no

ugh I travelled on and on, the same fresh grass and herbage surrounded us, with from time to t

his head, and protect it from the burning rays of noon, and ha

tly a group of giant bamboos, and in their mids

d it shelters, who meets us thus on our way, before going any further. Our p

Chapel! The stone God which appeared in the depths on

no chance that has brought us here before Him, to wh

could not enter the small and narrow building, examined this strange God, who on the

ng above his head. There were fresh offerings in plates and bowls-Oh! joy! C

finished his prayers I placed, one after

nding my extreme need; but offered by thee I may not refuse; it seems as if t

aster ate; and there grew in this place all sorts

ted place, which was evidently near, judging from the fresh offerings, a

ur troubles, as the Prince seemed to think, I felt disposed to thank him most devoutly-and even to pray to him d