Of all the creatures in this universe, the ones I most revere are the elephants. Their majestic composure is simply magnificent to behold, and their capacity to learn and retain key life skills can be compared to we humans. The most impressive comparison however, is their instinct for their family. There can be no other creature on earth that respects and relies on its family members as much as the elephant. More so than human beings, they instinctively stick together, to nurture and teach their young and guide them through the intricacies of growing up in a wild and sometimes hazardous world. They rejoice with the birth of a baby and mourn the death of a family member, in communal harmony.
As a child, I had a natural fondness for elephants, and I couldn’t quite understand why. Only when I learned about these stunning creatures, could I begin to grasp the significance of my affection towards them.
Having been adopted into the most difficult family, devoid of emotions or empathy, or caring for others, or the yearning for social interaction, there were times, when I ached to be encompassed by any form of life, which showed me love, guidance and affinity. Elephants would have suited me just fine, for life is more than just avoiding danger and existing on adequate food.
I was shut out of the inner family circle, with much whispering going on, endless rounds of commands and reprimands and tasks that were allotted to me, way beyond my years. It was a life devoid of love or a sense of belonging. This coupled with non-existent approval or encouragement left me bereft of any anchor or moral compass. Whereas brother John had a new bike every year, I was neither allowed a bike or the bus fare. I had a long and lonely 4 mile walk to school every day which alienated me completely from my school friends, who were all provided with the transport they needed.
Finally, thrown out into the world to fend for myself, without the benefit of any further education or basic training, it condemned me to an initial life of earning a living with menial tasks.
An elephant would have commiserated and rounded up her herd, to lighten my trail, set me on a rational path to equip me for life and inspired me to reach for the best. Then it wouldn’t have taken me decades to mend the wounds and finally become what I should have been in the first place.
Photo: pixelio.de / Ulla Trampert