2613. Elephant ride © Bruce Goodman 13 January 2023

Maurice had always wanted to ride on an elephant. Ever since he was a kid he wanted to ride on an elephant. Back then they would give rides on an elephant at the zoo, but has mother had always said, “Don’t be silly dear. What if the elephant bolts and you are on its back racing through the streets of the city?” These days of course they don’t give elephant rides at the zoo. Judging from the pictures Maurice had seen the elephant seemed to enjoy it; eight children, four on each side, sitting on a bench of some sort on the elephant’s back. The zoo still had two elephants but they were getting on in years. It wouldn’t be long before there were no elephants, and then Maurice’s hope of an elephant ride would fade completely. He had even asked the zoo keeper if a ride was a possibility. The zoo keeper simply asked, “Why would a man in his forties want to ride on an elephant?” Maurice was so disappointed. Then just last week something amazing happened. It was unexpected. Maurice no longer had an unfulfilled desire to ride an elephant. He died. Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story