Some years ago a soldier, stationed at Pondicherry, formed a friendship
with an elephant, to whom he used to give a portion of his daily
allowance of liquor. One day the soldier, getting tipsy, and being
followed by the guard, ran to hide himself behind the elephant, under
whose body he was in a few minutes fast asleep. The guard approached to
seize the delinquent, but, though the keeper assisted the soldiers, the
elephant would allow no one to come near him, and kept whirling his
trunk about in a way which showed that he was determined to protect his
charge at all costs.
What was the soldier's horror next morning, when, looking up, he found
the huge animal standing over him! One step of his monstrous feet, and
his life would have been crushed out. If he did not then and there
resolve to abjure intoxicating liquor for the future, he deserved to be
less fortunate another time. As he crawled out, the elephant evidently
perceived the terror he was in, and, to reassure him, caressed him
gently with his trunk, and signified that he might go to his quarters.
The animal now seeing his friend in safety, suffered his keeper to
approach and lead him away.
Gratitude prompted the elephant to protect his erring friend. How sad
to think that human beings are so often less grateful to those from whom
they have received benefits!