It was said I was the greatest elephant who ever lived, well at least my little girl thought so. In 1940 New Your City she and I were unexpected stars in a nation-building circus in a land just crawling out of the Great Depression and the accompanying darkness.
From the moment we met I knew our friendship would be different than any friend I had ever imagined. We had come through so much since leaving home in Europe when she was a newborn in her mother's arms and I was doing little insignificant tricks to help pay the family's way in the world. Then I got an opportunity to travel to India and take training from one of the legendary Mahouts.
Now as we both seemed to be aging, it was our memories we kept dear as we walked down the laneway, her hand on my side so familiar and comforting. Like the day, when she was just about six human years old. We sat side-by-side. She had a tall stool and I my sturdy metal one. I was in awe of her. Truth be told I still am so in awe of her.
That day she seemed so little. Her eyes loved me!
She reached over and patted my side. I know had I not been so enormous compared to her, she would surely have hugged me round. Tears formed in my eyes and I had to work hard to not let her see my sentimental side.
Our friendship had lasted over half a century and still I could sense her every wish and thought. I wondered often if our relationship, if I dare call it that, meant she abandoned hope of love in her own world. Yet she always seemed happiest when we were together. I do wish I was able to read her thoughts.
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