The Gentle Giants

The news spread across the settlement before breakfast was finished.

"The elephants are getting a bath."

Children appeared from every direction, mothers following close behind while fathers smiled and shook their heads. Work could wait for a little while. It wasn't every day three elephants visited the watering pond.

Mike carried only a long-handled scrub brush and a coil of hose over his shoulder.

"Come on, girls."

The three elephants followed him without hesitation.

They stepped into the shallow pond as naturally as horses crossing a creek.

The youngest calf splashed first.

Water flew everywhere.

A dozen children squealed.

The calf answered with a playful trumpet.

Everyone laughed.

Mike smiled.

"They always know who wants to play."

Soon the great animals were spraying themselves with cool water while Mike scrubbed years of carnival dust from their thick gray hides.

Rebecca watched one enormous elephant gently lower its trunk until a little boy could pour a bucket of water across its head.

"You certainly trust people."

Mike nodded.

"They know the difference between kindness and fear."

Buckets passed from hand to hand.

Children scrubbed legs they could barely reach around.

Women brushed ears as large as blankets.

Men rinsed away the soap.

Nobody seemed to notice that work had stopped.

For nearly an hour the whole settlement worked together washing three elephants.

By the time they climbed from the pond their skin carried a healthy shine beneath the steady golden light of the Glove.

Mike looked at the largest elephant's front foot.

"Bath's finished."

He smiled.

"Now we take care of the important part."

"The feet."

Isaac stepped outside his farrier shop carrying files, rasps, brushes and a small jar of natural oils.

"I've trimmed horses all my life."

He looked at the elephant's enormous foot.

"I suppose every craftsman eventually gets promoted."

Laughter drifted through the crowd.

The elephant calmly rested one foot upon a stout wooden block.

Isaac examined each broad toenail before carefully trimming away rough edges.

He cleaned every crease around the foot before polishing each nail until it reflected the Glove's soft light.

One little girl tugged at Rebecca's apron.

"She's getting pretty."

Rebecca smiled.

"I think she knows it."

Each elephant patiently waited while Isaac finished all four feet.

When the work was complete, Mike rubbed a little more oil into the nails.

"They carry several tons every day."

"A little care now keeps them healthy for years."

Isaac stood back to admire his work.

"I've never polished elephant toes before."

Samuel grinned.

"Neither has anyone else around here."

Their next stop brought another crowd.

The sign above the shop read:

HARRIS LEATHERWORKS & SADDLERY

Edward Harris stood waiting with measuring tapes, chalk, leather samples, and a notebook.

"I've built saddles for horses," he said as he studied the three elephants.

"I imagine these will require a little more leather."

Mike chuckled.

"They won't be riding saddles."

He gently patted the broad shoulders of the largest elephant.

"They'll be platforms."

"For families."

"For children."

"For visitors."

"Everyone should be able to ride."

Edward slowly measured chest, shoulders, back, girth, and height. He sketched broad oak platforms covered with thick leather padding, sturdy handrails, comfortable seats, and folding steps that could be lowered for children and older folks.

"They deserve to ride safely," he said.

Mike nodded.

"So do the elephants."

The biggest elephant reached over and softly wrapped her trunk around Edward's shoulder.

Edward laughed.

"I'll take that as approval."

Edward rolled up his measuring tapes and smiled with satisfaction.

"I've got everything I need."

The elephants stood patiently while he gathered his sketches and leather samples.

Everyone expected Mike to lead them back toward the carnival grounds.

Instead, the three elephants quietly turned and began walking across the meadow.

Without a command.

Without a rope.

Without anyone leading them.

Children followed at a respectful distance while the adults watched curiously.

Buck leaned toward Mike.

"Where are they going?"

Mike smiled.

"We're about to find out."

Across the meadow stood a grove of towering cedar trees that had overlooked the valley for generations.

The largest elephant walked directly to the nearest cedar and leaned her shoulder against the rough bark. Slowly she rubbed back and forth, scratching places no brush or hand could ever reach.

The second elephant selected another tree.

The little calf eagerly copied the adults.

Soon all three stood contentedly rubbing against the ancient trunks while tiny flakes of loose hair drifted onto the grass.

Mike folded his arms and watched with a knowing smile.

Rebecca looked at him.

"They certainly seem to like those trees."

"They do," Mike replied. "Cedar has been an elephant's friend for a very long time."

Samuel looked toward the grove.

"How so?"

Mike walked over and rested his hand against the deeply furrowed bark.

"The heartwood of a cedar contains natural aromatic oils. Those oils discourage many insects. Flies, moths, beetles, termites, and even ants don't care much for cedar. When elephants rub against these trees, a little of those oils transfers to their skin. It won't keep every insect away in the open, but it certainly makes life more comfortable."

Galileo picked up a small piece of fallen cedar bark and rolled it between his fingers.

"So they're not simply scratching an itch."

Mike nodded.

"They're taking care of themselves."

The largest elephant reached high with her trunk, snapped off a small leafy cedar branch, sniffed it thoughtfully, and slowly began chewing.

Mike laughed softly.

"And I'd say she's also sampling the local menu."

Rebecca smiled.

"So they didn't choose these trees by accident."

"No," Mike answered. "Animals often notice things long before people do. They know where they feel comfortable."

Samuel stood quietly, watching the three gentle giants beneath the towering cedars.

"I suppose," he finally said, "they've already chosen where they'll spend their afternoons."

Mike nodded.

"I believe they have."

For several peaceful minutes no one spoke.

The only sounds were the quiet rasp of bark against thick gray hides, the soft rustle of cedar branches overhead, and the happy laughter of children watching three magnificent creatures make themselves at home.

The supper bell echoed from Rebecca's kitchen.

The elephants slowly lifted their heads.

Without being called twice, they turned toward the settlement and fell into step behind Mike.

Rebecca watched them for a moment before speaking.

"This morning they were visitors."

Samuel smiled.

"And tonight..."

"...they're neighbors."

The children skipped alongside the elephants all the way home, occasionally reaching up to stroke a trunk or pat a broad gray shoulder.

Behind them, the ancient cedars stood quietly at the edge of the meadow.

No fences had been built around the elephants.

No chains had been fastened.

There was no need.

The elephants had already chosen where they belonged.

And everyone in the valley understood that they had become part of The Good Earth.