ROYAL ELEPHANT OF SIAM
Prince-Formidable, for such was the name of my ancient companion,
reclining not far from me upon a bed of fragrant branches, now told me
something of his history, and also instructed me as to my duties of
Royal Elephant.
"I have been here rather more than one hundred years," said he. "I am
very old, and I am sick, in spite of the white monkeys that you see
frisking about up there in the rafters. They are kept here to preserve
us from evil diseases; but all those who were here with me in this
palace died within a few days of each other, of some ailment which they
seemed to take from each other, and I, the oldest of all of them, am
the only survivor.
"For several years I have been alone--the only White Elephant--and the
greatest anxiety has been felt in Court Circles on this account. No
others could be discovered, notwithstanding the incessant hunts which
were made throughout the forests. It was thought that great misfortunes
menaced the Kingdom, and your arrival has caused rejoicings throughout
the country."
"Why is it that they consider us so important?" asked I. "What is there
extraordinary about us? Among elephants they seem rather to despise us!"
"I understand," said Prince-Formidable, "that men, when they die are
transformed into animals; the noblest into elephants, and Kings into
White Elephants. We are therefore ancient Kings; though, for my part,
I have no recollection of having been either a man or a King." "Nor I
either," said I. "I don't remember anything at all! But is it then on
account of envy that the gray elephants dislike us?"
"No," said Prince-Formidable. "Those of us who have not lived among men
are mere brutes, and don't know anything. They think the colour of our
skin results from disease, and so consider us inferior to themselves;
while on the contrary it is really a sign of Royalty.... You see what
poor ignorant creatures they are!"
I admired the wisdom and experience of my new friend, who had lived so
long and seen so much. I never tired of asking him questions, and he
replied with an inexhaustible good nature.
To-day I am able to translate in words what he was obliged to tell me
in the very limited language of elephants. Over and over he had to
begin again and repeat; but he was never impatient, although he was
himself so superior, and had long understood the language of men.
"Attention!" said he to me, upon hearing the sound of distant
music. "Here are the _Talapoins_, who are coming to give you their
benediction." He tried to make me understand who they were, but
although I pretended out of politeness to do so, I had not in reality
the least idea of what was meant, except that it was some new honour
that was to be conferred upon me.
The _Talapoins_ had shaven heads, and their ears stood out, and they
wore long yellow gowns with big sleeves.
On entering they did not prostrate themselves--and I confess this
shocked me somewhat! The oldest marched in the centre. He stopped
before me, and began talking in a queer voice, very high and
unpleasant; then, without stopping his remarks, he took from the hand
of one of his followers a mop with an ivory handle, while another one
held a basin of water, in which he dipped the mop, and commenced to
sprinkle me in a way that displeased me exceedingly. He squirted the
water in my eyes and ears, and as it lasted longer than I thought
needful, I seized the mop out of his hand, and sousing it well in
the water I shook it over all three of them--giving as good as I had
received!
They escaped, laughing and wiping their faces with their-long sleeves,
and I gave a loud scream of triumph, to proclaim my victory, and my
satisfaction!... But Prince-Formidable did not approve my conduct--he
thought it lacked dignity.
Soon after this they came to take us to the bath. A slave marched in
front, striking cymbals in order to make way for us, and others held
over our heads magnificent umbrellas. It was in our own park that the
beautiful pond was situated, and I was allowed this time to plunge and
swim, and roll over as long as I wanted.
A repast as plentiful as it was delicious ended the day, which had
certainly been to me in every way most satisfactory.
It continued in this manner, from day to day, with the exception of the
Talapoins, who never returned.
Only one hour in the day was somewhat distressing to me. It was my
daily lesson, which I had to take each evening, before going to bed.
The man who had first sat upon my head remained my principal
guardian--my "Mahout," and he had to teach me, and make me understand
the indispensible words of command, such as "Forward," "Backward,"
"Kneel," "Rise," "Right," "Left," "Halt," "Faster," "Slower," "That's
Right," "That's Wrong," "Do It Again," "That's Enough," "_Salute the
King._"
Prince-Formidable assisted me by translating these orders to me in
elephant-speech, so that I soon knew all that was needful.
Several years passed in this way very pleasantly, but rather
monotonously. Prince-Formidable died the second year after my arrival.
They gave him a Royal Funeral and all the Court went into mourning.
For a while I was alone. Then other White Elephants came in; but the
new ones were very ignorant, and seemed sulky and rebellious in their
dispositions--so that I took but little notice of them.