Anyone who has lived in India for some time will not be surprised by what is about to read.

We are located specifically in the southwest of India, in Kerala.

The images that you can see are from the garden-park of the EAM community in Nanthirickal, Quilon. It is a splendid relax to contemplate so many trees and so much green. Among the trees there are many palm trees that have large leaves, party food for many animals, among them also for the huge elephants. It is known that in Hindu culture it is considered as one of the sacred animals and its mystical and religious value is unpredictable.

Well, with these pachyderms we remain!

We contacted some elephant owners offering them the possibility to come and collect abundant food for their “children”. They accepted. Thus, a few weeks later, one morning they informed that they were coming. Vow! What will happen!!!

Three men arrived with a 16-year-old pachyderm, about 4 meters tall and 2200 kilos, a perfect fitness model! They said there are some that weigh up to 7 tons,  that he is the largest terrestrial mammal, and its pregnancy lasts 22 months and when the baby elephant is born it already weighs 90 kilos.

It took only a few minutes for the sisters and the girls who live with us be in front of the new visitor! Suddenly he began to eat palm leaves that we put to reach easily. From time to time he moved to eat the fresh green grass. Fed up with eating, he gave us part of his perfect digestion that, seen as seen, showed that he did not need laxatives! They said they eat about 180 kilos of food a day. That’s how they are!

There were moments of real euphoria taking photos, selfies. The most courageous came to touch him, but they ran fast as soon as he moved his trunk or his enormous ears, the largest in the world, which serve as a fan every time they flap.

We ask for information about the proboscis or trunk. In short: it is like a multi functional key: it helps them to breathe, lift objects, drink water, caress… They have a very developed sense of smell, useful for recognising the best food, perceiving danger etc. They told us that they are intelligent with a great memory, solidarity, docility and loyalty. We know that there are many and curious episodes about these pachyderms.

Then came the moments of the orders of its owners: to lie down… and the enormous pachyderm, docile as a lamb, lay down on the ground until another order told it to get up; later, close to a tree, he was told to pick leaves and that was what the obedient animal did. Another order was to lift a leg for the tamer to climb on, and it was.

Finally, having prepared the great bunch of palm leaves, they ordered him to take it and with the help of his tusks and his trunk, he lifted up the heavy bunch easily.

Last order: walking out of the garden with his precious food, before to reach the exit, the suggestion was: say hello and, flapping his huge ears, he gave us a friendly farewell greeting. Excellent obedience!

We do not pretend to give exemplary lessons, because we do not need animals to imitate, but with a little good inner imagination, something can be learned from the docility, loyalty, and solidarity of the largest animal in the world: ELEPHANTS!