As big as the elephant is, topics about it appear very scanty. Also, they are not common sights.
Apart from pictures, I've not seen a live elephant, and I believe many people have not.
The story of an elephant I can think of is a fairytale we were told under the moonlight when we were kids many years ago.
It goes: In the animal kingdom, the king had a beautiful damsel as a daughter. Many suitors that approached her for marriage received a resounding "no" for an answer.
When her father asked to know why she was turning down many suitors, she said the person that would marry her must be the one that would lead Elephant to the the palace because she wants Elephant as pet.
The condition of bringing Elephant live, expectedly scared more suitors because to move Elephant from the jungle to the palace wasn't a joke. For one, elephant was a huge animal with enormous strength. Who would dare him?
But, Tortoise, a very cunning animal, as one of the interested suitor put on his thinking cap to see how he could achieve the daunting task. He came up with the idea that it cannot be by physical strength but, by wisdom. When he put his acts together, he took off to see Elephant.
He crossed seven forests, climbed seven mountains and swam across seven rivers to get to Elephant jungle.
"My lord, Elephant, I've come to visit and invite you to a special occasion that's about taking place." He said.
Elephant peeped through his window to see Tortoise standing with his walking stick. And then stepped out of his bushy room. "What did you say is happening?" He asked.
Tortoise told Elephant of a big occasion that will attract both the big and small in the society. He said the occasion was so big that none was more suitable to be on the high table as chairman apart from a great personality than Elephant, The Great. He also said he had been able to convince the king of making him the Chairman of the occasion.
On hearing such sweet words, Elephant raised his two earlobes and flapped them across his face, neck and shoulder. He also raised his trumpet towards the sky, as he stood only on his two hindlimbs in pride for the honour to be bestowed upon him. In addition, he thanked his friend, Tortoise for his recommendation and effort.
The two set out to attend the occasion. As they began, Tortoise noted that his own footsteps were short, and could not match the long strides of Elephant. He requested to climb to the back of Elephant.
Elephant had no problem with that so, he squatted down for Tortoise to climb. On top of the back of Elephant, Tortoise started directing the way until they reached the palace.
Tortoise came down and went straight to the king and said, "My king, my father, I've brought Elephant "
The king came out and ordered a rope to be put around Elephant's neck and tied to a pole. Elephant who was getting apprehensive wanted to protest but, Tortoise told him not to worry because it was part of the process of leading him to the high table.
Tortoise went again to the king and said, "My king, my father, I've brought Elephant, give me my wife."
The king who was bounded by his word took the hand of his daughter and gave to Tortoise to be his wife. That's how Tortoise married the elegant daughter of the king.
Hello @ubani, we do not accept retold stories, or personal reiterations of folklore. Because the plot of this story is in the book "The Tortoise and the Princess", as well as several other publications, we cannot accept this story.
Noted. I didn't know of this rule earlier.
Tortoise is wise but cunning. This has been the same story and method through who the tortoise outsmarts his fellows in the animal kingdom.
A well told story.
Thanks for your time in reading my post.
The tortoise always takes the center stage. Lol