The White Elephant

Darkness. Small, uncomfortable and disgusting rooms. They make you feel suffocated. The awful sound of the whip, followed by a desperate roar from the animals in the circus. Obedience, order and lack of any feelings. That is how an elephant survives in this establishment. Many circuses were far more humane, but his captives weren't decent at all. He knew he had to do the tricks at a specific time when ordered- otherwise, he would be punished. Instead, it was already his habit to entertain the visitors. How did nobody manage to see the grief in his eyes, the desperation and after years the indifference to all that was happening to him?

One day, a huge pimple, almost as big as a human head grew on his back. It was entirely black and disgusting to look at. It was hard for him to perform his tricks with that pimple, and the visitors were not so happy to look at him in such a state. For that reason, the director of the circus threw away the elephant, not even considering removing the chains from his feet. Now he was facing his natural habitat as some dangerous, unpredictable and scary territory. Even so, he slowly started walking forward, doing small steps due to his shackles. At first, he was frustrated by the lack of freedom-the slow speed at which he walked, but nevertheless, he continued. A new pimple grew on him, on his left side- brown and as big as the black one.

Predators started harassing and chasing him as a potential foe, but he managed to fight them back, despite his disadvantage. Slowly he lost his fear and was prepared to defend himself. After some time the elephant woke up with a green pimple on his forehead. He only saw it when he found a river. While drinking water, he saw his image, feeling hideous and angry. He stomped his own image from the river and got all covered in water. He did it again, and again, but eventually felt cheerful because he never had experienced the excitement of playing in the river. Like a small kid, the elephant dived into the water and played for a long time. Then a yellow pimple grew on his ride side.

The noise he created caught the attention of other thirsty elephants. For the first time, he saw his own kin and felt ever so thrilled to meet them. He ran towards them, as fast as he could, but then another male elephant flapped his ears in anger and attacked him. Their tusks clashed. He was more confused than eager to fight. Dust rose around them, as they were fighting. At a slight moment, he managed to slip away and ran. He felt disappointment and shame for not being able to walk alongside his companions. A dark blue pimple grew on his right front leg.

Many days passed and the elephant was mostly surviving on his own, feeling lonely, and humiliated, but stable and strong. He noticed that his kin was being attacked by humans. Without hesitation, he ran towards them, scaring them off. Suddenly the elephant felt enormous anger towards them, remembering that his torturers were humans as well. He chased after the people and before he could calm down, he knocked down two houses and injured many people. That caused huge chaos in the village. His decision was impulsive and didn't make him feel any better, nor he won any respect from the other elephants. A red pimple grew on his body.

With time the pimple's number became bigger and the colours new and different. He was getting used to such life and felt the same indifference he felt while locked in the circus. However one day he met a girl. She was covered in colourful clothes, which didn't cover her big, black eyes. There was a spark in those eyes. Despite his appeal and his earlier attack she slowly started getting closer and closer. He was afraid of her but didn't want to scare her off either. The girl touched his snout gently and smiled at him. Such beauty and elegance! He didn't even notice when she called more humans to help remove the shackles on his legs.

Only the girl remained and was satisfying her curiosity, being so close to an elephant. He finally built up the courage to ask:

- How did you not feel disgusted from looking at my grey skin, marked with many scars, dirt and gross pimples? Don't you fear me?

The girl then walked around him, obviously confused.

- I feel inspired by the difficulties you have gone through! I really respect you!

She stopped in front of him and smiled so honestly.

- And may I ask, what pimples are you talking about? I would have never approached you, as you are a wild animal, but the gems that cover your body amazed me and gave power to my curiosity! The green emerald-like gem on your forehead, the blue one on your leg!

The elephant shed a tear, after so many years of hardships, confusion, fear and struggles. For the first time, he felt genuinely happy. He stood up and looked at the girl with joy.

- It seems your eyes are not only beautiful but also see something more in others! You surely are unique and softened my heart!

He remained silent for a moment, thinking.

Can I ask to be your companion and follow you?

- But where will we go?

- When I have a companion such as you, the path matters, not the final destination! Will you just give me a day, because I want to prepare myself? You too think about it, and if you want to travel with me, wait for me near this tree!

The girl smiled and ran quickly to her house.

On the next day, the girl walked towards the tree and as she was getting closer, she stopped in amazement- in front of her was the same elephant, but the colour of his skin was white as snow. The gems shined even more beautifully. On the ground near him, there was a small tree. She came close to him and touched his skin. - What happened to you? Look at your white skin!

- It seems I no longer need my scared skin to scare off other beings! I finally see a way to understand and let go of my past filled with hatred and misery. I wanted to make sure that my soul is pure and honourable, otherwise, I wouldn't have met you here today! Maybe that is why my skin is now white!

She smiled at him and they both started their journey. The white elephant lifted the small tree and carried it above the girl, using it as protection from the harsh sunlight.

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I don't have the capacity to explain what kind of phenomena love is. Instead, I got inspired and wrote this story. We will always remember the people who believe in us, who saw something more in us, who never got scared of our dark side. When you are capable of true love, you see and bring forward the true colours of people, despite how rough their life is. And for many, that is more than they could hope for! The moment you accept that part of yourself, which was once hated is an outstanding achievement I hope you find something meaningful in this story!