The Elephant

By Homen Borgohainee
Translation: Jugal Kalita

It was early evening on a sultry mid-summer day. Balloorum, bare-chested, slouched on the steps of his house. At more than eighty years old, his eyesight and hearing were beginning to fail him. He could hear only if one shouted close to his ears. So, no one, including the members of his large family spoke with him any more unless absolutely necessary. As a result, the old man felt rejected and hurt.

This evening, his oldest daughter-in-law must have felt pity for him seeing him sitting all alone, quietly like a tree stump. ``Father, it's dark already,'' she said, ``Why don't you come inside the house?''

The old man, not fully understanding what she said, scolded her indignantly, ``Why do you have to always shout so close to my ears? Do you think I am deaf?''

It was immediately proved that his deafness was not as ravaging as made out to be. Suddenly, he called out, ``Who is that? Is it Rutteeya?''

In the darkness, even his daughter-in-law could not notice Rutteeya's approach. But, the old man recognized him by listening to his footsteps. It was a matter of great astonishment how the old man, who couldn't even hear a drum beating next to his ears, always recognized Rutteeya from his footsteps.

Rutteeya, the mahout-a hired hand for several decades, normally didn't respond to any questions the old man asked. Even today, he walked straight inside with heavy footsteps, without the murmur of a response.

Bupdhon, himself responded on Rutteeya's behalf. He extended his trunk and touched the man's forehead. On this familiar, gentle and loving contact, a spark of emotion flashed through the old man's weak, bony body, from head to toe. He started stroking Bupdhon's trunk as if he discovered a lost treasure, as if he welcomed a son returning home after a prolonged absence.

The daughter-in-law saw no hope of the old man coming inside soon since he would now start conversing with Bupdhon. She gave a knowing smile and stepped inside. The old man continued caressing Bupdhon's trunk, ``Oh, dear! Where did you get all these bruises? Rutteeya is out of control! He must have taken you back to the thorny jungle. I have told him so many times that Bupdhon is not well, he should spare you the feeding trips for a few days. He doesn't pay any heed to what I say any more. I have never seen such ungrateful people! Oh dear, oh dear! Oh, my Bupdhon!'' The old man became silent, but continued talking to Bupdhon in the tender language of touch.

Suddenly the front yard was illuminated by the headlights of an automobile. The old man and Bupdhon turned gingerly to the motor car. They were like two lovers caught red-handed in the midst of intense conversation and intimate love-making. The two became still as if at a complete loss.

Out of the car, came down Bormoyna, the man's oldest son. He barked an order at the chauffeur, ``Horreysoron, don't forget to wash the car before you leave. It's full of mud all over. What a terrible road! I would have never taken the car if I knew the road was so bad.''

While talking to the chauffeur, Bormoyna walked up the steps and stopped next to his father. The old man did not see his son smirking in the dark; if he had, his blood would have boiled at the mocking smile. He was still cuddling with Bupdhon's trunk. It seemed his favorite pachyderm's enormous body shriveled in Bormoyna's inappreciative presence. It was as if even a mere animal could also perceive disdain and pity! The old man's heart melted at this realization. He continued caressing Bupdhon's trunk, pouring out his heart's emotions and compassion, in unspoken revenge.

For a short while, Bormoyna stood silently watching the open display of endearment between his father and Bupdhon. Then he spoke, ``Father, there are many crazy people in the world. But no one will believe that one can be completely crazy for an animal unless he or she sees you. I am giving you one more week, father! Love him, caress him as much as you can. After that, I will be forced to ...''

Bormoyna barely finished his sentence when the old man thundered, ``You've the audacity to talk to me like that! Tell me what you will be forced to do! Enlighten me about the unsavory plans you are concocting for him!''

Even though he did not see well in the pitch-black darkness, Bormoyna sensed that his father's entire body shook in seething anger. He stood silently for a few minutes contemplating whether he should exacerbate his father's anger. Then, he said more slowly and deliberately, ``After a week, I must decide to sell the elephant or I must send him off to work as a beast of burden in Xodiyaa. Of these two options, I will do whichever one you choose. I will make all necessary arrangements.'' Without waiting for the old man's reply, Bormoyna walked inside.

The old man was dumbfounded at this disturbing disclosure and just sat there for a few more moments. Then he screamed stridently, shaking the whole house, ``What did you say? What did you say, you son of a bitch? Either you sell Bupdhon or send him to draw back-breaking logs in the remote jungles of Xodiyaa? How dare you say that? Have you assumed I am dead? Oh, God! Have you all lost the human touch? Are you all possessed by the Evil One? Because every village has paved roads now, and you can drive your damned car comfortably everywhere, Bupdhon has become worthless in your eyes? Everyone knows Bupdhon is the wellspring of good fortune in our house; we have prospered steadily from the day I welcomed him into our midst in my heady youth. Fortune has providently smiled upon us since. Now, the same Bupdhon is worse than a stray dog in this thankless house? When he comes home at the end of the day, I entertain and caress him just a little. Seeing that all of you make rude and insulting fun of me all the time! Even you, you, ..., as soon as you come home, you order your chauffeur to wash your precious car. The nuts and bolts of metal have become more valuable and more indispensible to you than a warm, living animal. I know, I know, ..., you are still young, you feel on top of the world; that's why you don't want to show the slightest respect and appreciation for Bupdhon! No, I don't expect you to show him any respect! But, that doesn't imply you have the authority to sell him or employ him in a coolie's hard job. Listen to me carefully, I am warning all your ilk. You can do so only over my dead body!''

For a long time, the old man kept yelling, handing out dire warnings.

Vicious arguments like this, between the father and his sons became a daily affair in Balloorum's house. The reason was straight-forward. About sixty years ago, when Balloorum was a young man, there weren't any paved roads like today, there weren't any automobiles. During those days, horses and elephants were the only modes of transportation for the rich. When Balloorum was a dashing young man of twenty five, he suddenly discovered that he had become well-to-do, respected all over the region for the extensive holdings of farm land he had acquired, the substantial money he had made, and the rich harvests of rice and other crops he annually produced. He contemplated that his promotion to pre-eminence in society would be irrevocably announced if he could acquire a healthy, male tusker and display him in his front yard for all the world to see. As soon as the idea germinated in his mind, he sold a large granary of rice and bought an impressive elephant. In fondness, he named it Bupdhon; it means the father's worthy son.

From that day, in his heart, Balloorum had treated Bupdhon like his oldest son. To him, he was not merely an ordinary elephant, not just a convenient mode of transportation for the affluent and the aristocratic, but the proudest living symbol of his life's success. He had never used Bupdhon as a beast of burden because the elephant was the crown jewel of his life. Once when the British commissioner of the zilluh-the expansive administrative district, visited the region, there was a frantic search for an attractive elephant to welcome him and pay obeissance to him. Of the five elephants in the region a panel of ranking citizens unanimously selected Bupdhon over all the others. The commissioner rode on Bupdhon for a few days, and on his return to the district headquarters, was effusive with praise. Reminiscing this glorious incident, the old man's heart pulsated with pride even now. On that day, the elephant silenced his critics and enemies forever and ushered in influence and prestige to Balloorum's home. In fact, this reflected a fact well-known in the British colony: unencumbered access to high officials and administrators was the surest path for steady financial and social success.

Gradually, Balloorum Medhey's household prospered immensely. His home was also brightened by the welcome arrival of his seven sons and three daughters. Every time high-level government bureaucrats, magistrates and others came to the region from the zilluh headquarters, it became customary for them to pay him a formal visit and sometimes stay overnight. The common people concluded perceptively that the elephant was the lodestone that attracted prosperity to the house, the reason the Goddess of Fortune was so generous.

Over time, Balloorum also started crediting the elephant's purported powers for his wealth and fortune. Consequently, Balloorum started treating Bupdhon like an invaluable trophy; his love for the elephant also grew in intensity. Balloorum was always present when Rutteeya, the mahout, washed Bupdhon, sometimes he washed him himself. He fed him with genuine care and affection. Every evening when Bupdhon returned home, he patted, caressed and massaged him with love as if the elephant were like a lost child returning home after a long absence.

In Balloorum's eyes, Bupdhon was not an iota less valuable than his sons. He was thoroughly convinced that Bupdhon was not merely an ordinary elephant, not just a mode of transportation for the affluent and the aristocratic, but the proudest living symbol of his own life's success.

Bormoyna and Balloorum's other sons grew up to be even richer businessmen and general contractors. Suddenly, they discovered that in the extended region, in business and commerce, in power and prestige, they have become almost unparalleled. It occurred to them that if they could acquire an expensive automobile and park it in their garage, their station in aristocracy would be reaffirmed. Now-a-days, one might have money; but, if he didn't possess a fine automobile, society did not accept him as a blue-blooded aristocrat.

Of course, the sons had enough money in the bank; but, they expected to obtain a few thousand rupees selling the elephant. In these days of automobiles, the elephant served no functional purpose; even as a symbol of aristocracy, he was outdated to most. The boys discussed the matter thoroughly among themselves and gently broached it to their father. As soon as Balloorum heard the idea, he became hysterical and yelped, ``Come again! What did you say? You want to sell Bupdhon to buy an automobile? No way! No way! Do any of you have the audacity to repeat it again?''

His young sons were speechless; they did not understand their father's excitement. They had proposed to sell an elephant whose presence didn't befit the modern age, especially when it was lazy and pampered, and devoured tons of expensive food. But they did not have the impudence to argue, especially after seeing their father's blood-red face.

The next day, they withdrew money from the bank, and bought a fine Ambassador car. The presence of an Ambassador car and the sights and sounds of its regular arrival and departure associated prestige to Medhey's home. The Medheys were once again ensconced as one of the most estimable families of the region. The promotion of Medhey's house to top echelons of society was similar to how sometimes a large lump of soft clay hardens into rock and rises to the top of a hill and establishes a towering presence following an earthquake.

Balloorum was not unhappy when his family purchased a car. In fact, he was thrilled like everyone else at home. Is there a father anywhere who doesn't feel proud of his own sons' achievements? The car was quite useful, too. One could easily travel a day's distance in an hour. However, in spite of its efficiency and usefulness, in the eyes of the old man, the car was nothing more than a product of technical advances, merely an essential appliance. How could one possibly compare the car with Bupdhon? Bupdhon was his trusted company in the journey of life. He was the symbol of his prosperous past, the focus of reminiscence for each one of his past successes; he attracted the elusive Goddess of Fortune to his home. It was impossible and grossly inappropriate to compare him with even a hundred finest automobiles! His place in the house was secure, ensconced in its core for ever.

But the old man knew that in spite of his cherished fondness for Bupdhon, the elephant had irreparably lost his prestige and utility in the eyes of his big family. Not only that, there was no more any need for Bupdhon to welcome visiting high-level bureaucrats, and officials. It was Bormoyna's car that served adequately on such occasions. Only the logging contractors came looking for Bupdhon from time to time; they wanted him to haul heavy logs from inaccessible areas.

Witnessing such indignities, the old man's compassion for Bupdhon deepened, concluding that as he himself was the object of neglect and ridicule in the house, so was Bupdhon. It seemed to him that Bupdhon, who traveled the region with royal grace not long ago, was now distressed, his pride badly hurt. The old man's heart wailed constantly in strange pain. But, there was no one in the house and in the neighborhood to share his grief. The new world was awfully strange and inexorably distant for the old-fashioned man and his dear Bupdhon.

Balloorum embraced the elephant more possessively as the days progressed; in response, the resentment Bormoyna and his brothers felt for Bupdhon increased greatly.

Not long ago, Balloorum Medhey considered Bupdhon his prime treasure. But, now, his grown sons did not feel any pride in the elephant, they were ashamed if Bupdhon was seen standing in the front yard. They always conspired to either sell or banish him from the house! One day, they decided to rent out the elephant to the logging contractor to earn several hundred rupees a month. They thought they would kill two birds with one stone since the ungainly animal would not be seen in their home any more. Moreover, they were fiscally conservative, it was an unbearable sight for them to have an enormous elephant dawdling at home. They figured that though their father vehemently objected to selling the elephant, he would be amenable to the idea of renting him out.

The idea was barely divulged when the chrotchety old man started a great ruckus. ``Bupdhon will haul heavy logs in the jungle? Oh, God! Am I still alive at this advanced age to hear things like this? What has happened to you people? Who do you think earns the food Bupdhon eats? Why the hell are you on his case so much? If I hear of such a despicable thing again, I am telling you, I swear, I will burn this house to ashes. I, I, ..., I will do something extremely drastic.''

Bormoyna and his brothers were terribly annoyed. They were also more than a little surprised. What did their old man think of the animal? It was just an animal-pure and simple; it had to work like any other animal for a living. Why could their father not accept this basic fact? Their modern utilitarian perspective on the world with all its heartless assumptions could not fathom an an acceptable answer. As a result, their obstinacy and defiance lost normal bounds; they became spiteful. They brought up the idea at least once every day, just to irritate their father.

The arguments would have continued until the irascible and proud old man's eventual death. But, these came to an abrupt end, in an unexpected and eventful manner. This is how the reconciliation came:

The auspicious occasion was the wedding of the old man's youngest son Conmoyna.

It was the time-honored tradition in the rural areas for the groom of rich, aristocratic families to travel to the wedding ceremony at the bride's house, in a procession riding on an elephant. Even poor people considered it a matter of pride to rent an elephant to parade at the head of the procession, with the handsomely attired groom on its back. This was the last in a long series of weddings in Balloorum's house. In each wedding, the procession consisted of not one, but ten or twelve elephants; Bupdhon proudly led each procession.

Extensive arrangements were made for Conmoyna's wedding for more than a month. Although the old man was not required to do anything, he voluntarily and nominally coordinated the entertainment activities for the reception at the groom's home prior to the formal ceremony. He would be extremely pleased with himself if the last wedding in his home during his lifetime went off well, and with as much pomp and grandeur as affordable.

A week before the wedding, he summoned Bormoyna and inquired if arrangements had been completed for the elephants for the wedding procession.

Bormoyna was surprised at the question and retorted, ``Elephants? Why do we need elephants?''

This time it was the father's turn to be bewildered. ``What did you say?'' he asked incredulously, ``You don't know why we need elephants in a wedding? Have you gone completely insane?''

It was not Bormoyna's mistake. The world had transformed so swiftly that what was natural and essential yesterday had become a matter of ridicule and curiosity today. The realization of this cruel fact of life suddenly struck Bormoyna at the second question. He answered with an understanding smile, ``Father, we don't need elephants this time. We have arranged for more than ten motor vehicles for the wedding procession. The groom will go in my Ambassador-the best automobile around, in front of all the others.''

It took some time for the father to absorb the answer. He shook his hands and said, ``It's good that you've arranged for many motor vehicles. However, the groom must lead the procession on Bupdhon's back; it's the family tradition. Not a single wedding in the house has taken place without Bupdhon. My youngest son's wedding also cannot proceed without him. You can do whatever you want in the future, with your own sons. Do you understand?''

Hearing his father's reaction, Bormoyna smiled, mumbled an almost inaudible comment, and walked away. The deaf man did not hear him well. Involuntarily, Balloorum's mind traveled swiftly back on memory lane. In his mind's eye, he was transported back to a glorious day in his life many years ago; he was absent-minded, hopelessly lost in romantic reminiscence.

The day of the wedding finally arrived. Everyone was busy fulfilling given functions. The old man summoned Rutteeya, and the two together took Bupdhon to the river. Rutteeya washed and cleaned Bupdhon for almost two hours. They came home, and from about noon started decorating Bupdhon. Like an accomplished artist, Balloorum drew a huge heart on his forehead; he created beautiful patterns on the tree-sized limbs and other parts of his body; he tied a string of rattles around his legs. Finally, Balloorum worked on the cushioned seat of honor on which the groom would ride atop the elephant.

In the general confusion of a traditional wedding, hundreds of relatives and friends of the family were enjoying themselves. No one had noticed what Balloorum was doing. Suddenly, Bormoyna saw the senile antics of his father. Hastily, he came over to him and asked, ``Father! What's all this you are doing?''

The old man was annoyed and snapped indignantly, ``It seems to me that you people don't know what to do in a traditional wedding. Not only that, you are disturbing me asking meaningless questions. The wedding procession must leave for the bride's sharply at four; if we don't finish all the work on the elephant by then, then ...''

``Father, I had already told you that the groom is going to lead the wedding procession in a car. Why are you unnecessarily killing yourself decorating the elephant?''

With utmost disbelief, the old man looked at the son, and said, ``Why do you keep on repeating that the groom will go in the car? He won't do so just because you said so. Conmoyna will ride the elephant. Now, shut up; go and do your own work.''

Although Bormoyna was irritated, he left quietly. The appointed time, as determined by an astrologer, for the groom's party to start its procession arrived. Accompanying the procession was a band with four pairs of traditional drums called dhols. There was a modern instrumental band also. Their loud music filled the expectant air.

Near the decorated wedding arch built at the main gate to the house, was parked Bormoyna's Ambassador car-nicely decorated with flowers for the auspicious occasion. Behind it were ten or twelve other cars, busses and trucks. Across from the Ambassador car stood Bupdhon, his proud face filled with self-satisfaction, as if he was the pivotal actor on this occasion. The old man sat on a chair next to the elephant, awaiting the groom's arrival.

Of course, the groom would select to ride on the elephant on this joyous journey-the old man never had the slightest doubt. His face radiated abundant confidence. Every now and then he cast a proud glance at Bupdhon, and his face lit up with tremendous satisfaction.

Just then, the handsomely attired groom surrounded by women singing traditional wedding songs, came out of the house and ceremonially walked towards the main gate. The groom crossed the wedding arch, and came on to the road. The old man busily stood up and barked, ``Rutteeya, order the elephant to sit. The groom is here!'' It was drowned in the sounds of the two noisy bands; Rutteeya did not hear his master's fateful and crucial order.

The groom continued walking straight towards the Ambassador car. Seeing this, the old man lost control of himself and shouted out in deep pain, ``Conmoyna!'' By this time, someone opened the door of the car, and the groom was about to step in. The old man ran unsteadily toward the groom and pleaded loudly, ``Conmoyna, please don't get in the car; you've to go riding the elephant!''

Seeing the antics of the old man, a party-goer loudly mocked at him in merriment. The next moment, the chauffeur cranked up the engine of the groom's automobile and his journey to the bride's home began. Soon thereafter, everyone else went on to their respective cars, busses and trucks. Every motor vehicle followed the groom's lead.

Balloorum Medhey, Bupdhon and Rutteeya were the only ones left standing stunned like apparitions, in front the now-empty house that was filled with raucously merry-making relatives, friends and well-wishers minutes ago.

They were anachronistic representatives of a by-gone world that had been denied a position of honor in the glamorous parade of the new; they were already hopelessly antiquated, left behind incongruously in the swift transition.

At the gentle touch of Bupdhon's trunk, the old man came back to his senses from the self-pejorative trance into which he had sunk. With a look filled with deep pain, he ardently stared at Bupdhon; the elephant gingerly flapped his ears as if to conceal the stark affront to which he was rudely subjected. In vain, he tried to be a faithful companion in commiseration with his master. With unsteady footsteps the old man carried himself to the animal, balanced the whole weight of his delicate body against the elephant, hid his face against the dark and rough hide, and started chanting, ``Bupdhon! Bupdhon!...''

Suddenly, a timely and lasting solution to the impasse dawned on him. Hastily, he straightened his slouched head and stood spryly erect. He looked at Rutteeya and said confidently, ``Rutteeya, Bupdhon must not remain in this wretched and ingrate house even a split second longer. At this very moment, it is my great pleasure to give my dear and trusted Bupdhon away to you. From now on, you are not only his mahout-a humble caretaker, but also his proud master. Go, go! Take Bupdhon away to your home before they come back from the wedding. Did you hear me, Rutteeya?''

The translator thanks Yvonne Dilts and David Bergacker for their helpful comments on the translation.

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