An elephant walking down your street!
By srganesh
@srganesh (6339)
India
December 13, 2008 5:04am CST
In India it is a usual sight of seeing trained elephants on streets.It is seen as Lord Ganesha by the people and they always tend to give bananas,coconuts or atleast one rupee coin in its hand and expect blessings.It is also believed that stamping your feet on the dung of the elephant can do much to your feet's health.Also,it is the common man's joy to make his kid mount the elephant for a small ride even the child cries out of great fear.But more people try to avoid an elephant when it is towards them in a narrow street.Even though it is well trained,most of us never have the guts to pass on the huge elephant.How do you see an elephant down coming infront of you?For me,it is always a great delight watching an elephant that close.Please share your views!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@tulipstrader (1467)
• India
23 Jun 09
Elephants is a sensitive animal. A trained one is generally harmless and wont hurt intentionally, but a terrified one might hurt you. it is said that elephant has a good memory and never forgets.
I have seen elephants from very close and even touched it on many occasions. Once at home we had a religious ceremony for which elephant is brought in. It was then i had the opportunity to be at the closest to the largest animal. I offered it sugar canes, a bunch of bananas and jaggery. these are its favorite. My father was very particular that the elephant eat all that we offered to it, inspite of temple authorities objecting to it.
i had many times seen elephants coming down narrow street generally accompanies by the mahout. if it is too narrow, we just move to a comfortable place so that the elephant goes past us.
it is true that elephant dung has medicinal qualities. few tribals here collect fresh dung of wild elephants for treating certain kinds skin diseases and ailments affecting foot and joint pains.
1 person likes this
@srganesh (6339)
• India
24 Jun 09
You are right.Wild elephants are entirely different compared to the trained ones.In a forest when you happen to see a single male elephant,then it is real danger.We can't judge its mood.But a herd of elephant family will not be that much threat.
In our home town,like you said,we can see elephants brought for ceremonies and when they come down our streets,we like to give them bananas and rice.That is better than giving paise because it will go to the mahout's pocket.It is lovely to see an elephant.There are things we can enjoy seeing without boring.Elephant is one among them.Cheers!
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
23 Jun 09
I love Elephants but the only way for me to see them is going to my local zoo. I would love to ride an elephant. I would trust her more than a horse.I think they are so beautiful and baby elephants are so cute.I fe society is far better than our own. The females are in a heard. They support one another.They are wonderful.
1 person likes this
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
13 Dec 08
ha!
hi srganesh!
i never expected this discussion! lol we don't have elephants in our country, so i guess if we would see one walking down the street, people would have to think it is a miracle or a supernatural phenomenon. hehehe
for us, we go to other countries and have our pictures taken with elephants because we don't have them, i am not even sure if our biggest zoo in the country has an elephant there. hehe
take care and God bless you!
merry christmas! :-)
@srganesh (6339)
• India
23 Jun 09
Yes!Elephants are not widely seen in all countries.They can be seen more in India and Africa.But watching an elephant is always a delight.In our country,some of the temples have their own elephants and they show up on roads time to time.Even though,we know them trained,we don't have the guts to go near it.Seeing it from a safe distance is interesting and fun filed.Cheers!
