The Elephant Gate

By the time morning had arrived, the storm had blown itself out, leaving everything damp. Kevin scrambled out of bed, eager to face the day. Due to yesterday's ritual, his school lesson was postponed to the afternoon while he tackled chores at the elephant barn. Khun Mattaya had the picnic basket filled and waiting by the time the pair finished breakfast.

When they arrived at the elephant barn, there was nothing left of the previous afternoon's events. Except Kandula still had scuffed henna markings on her skin. Khun Wit handed Kevin a soft towel and a plastic bottle of cleanser.

"The first thing you need to do is give her a bath. There is a large basin outside, next to the cistern. Once you fill the basin, we will lead the little one outside and scrub her down." Kevin hurried outside to set everything up; once it was in place, Khun Wit showed him how to attach a collar and lead to the elephant.

Together, they led her out into the sparkling sunshine and patted her on her head. " I hope you like your name, Kandi. At home, my Kandi always would be with me and listen to me." A poke in his side caused him to giggle. "That tickles, Kandi! I promise we'll be friends and talk to each other, just like I did back home."

Before he washed her, he looked at the underside of her foot. There was a slight red area and a tiny scar on the rubbery skin, but otherwise it seemed completely healed. "I'm glad it doesn't hurt anymore."

Rainbow-hued soap bubbles floated in the soft breeze as he scoured and cleaned the gray animal. In short order, the last vestiges of the dye were gone. He dried her off as best he could before leading her back into the barn and to her momma.

When they reached her pen, Kandi pulled ahead, eager to eat. Kevin had a hard time holding her back. The struggle left him winded as she almost dragged him over.

"Stop, Kandi!" She came to a sudden halt, and turned to look inquiringly at him. Kevin realized he didn't say anything out loud, but just thought it in his head. Maybe he really could talk to elephants! He closed his eyes and tried again.

[I'm taking you to your mom, but I can't walk as fast as you, and I don't want you to get hurt. So just stay with me, and we will both get there safely.]

Amazingly, she turned and began to walk slowly, pacing to Kevin's shorter legs. It worked!

[Thanks], he thought.

Kevin slipped off the collar and lead before reaching Kwamsoo's stable. He tried to speak to the a.d.u.l.t elephant.

[I'm opening the door to let Kandi in. She's hungry and ready to eat. I gave her a good bath, so she's nice and clean!]

The female chuffed agreement and backed away from the door, which allowed Kevin to open it and slip the youngster inside. When he secured the door, she lifted her head back over and tapped him on the head. He smiled. "You're welcome!" He said out loud while they communicated further.

Kevin finished the clean up when Khun Wit walked by. "Uncle Wit! I'm done with washing Kandi. What's next?" He quieted when he saw the older man's grave face.

"Noy Kevin. Here we must always work in pairs when moving the elephants from one place to the other. It's important to both the safety of the handlers and the animals." Kevin shrank against the handler's stern gaze. Thanks to their wordless communication, he was confident that he could handle them, but he still broke one of the cardinal rules.

"I apologize, Uncle Wit." Kevin bowed low, contrite. "I promise not to forget again." He straightened up; Wit looked into the young boy's eyes, and saw the determination. He nodded.

"Always remember that safety is paramount here. Now it's time for the mid-morning feeding. Are you ready to learn?" He clapped Kevin on the back. "Let's go."

Kevin found out that the feeding and care of these large creatures was an exhausting business. The females and young were let out together to socialize and play while the stalls were scr.a.p.ed clean and disinfected to prevent any parasites or diseases. The used straw was piled into a large wagon and sent over to a composting pile to eventually be spread over the fields.

An elephant can drink up to 150L of water a day. The stables had automatic water dispensers that needed to be cleaned and checked for proper operation. By the time his assigned chores were completed, Kevin was tired. Even though there were several stable hands, he did his best to pull his weight. It was almost noon when Khun Wit declared the barn clean.

"Okay Noy Kevin, one of the hands will take you back to your home for lunch. Don't forget you have your schoolwork as well this afternoon." Kevin g.r.o.a.n.e.d, and the other hands chuckled. Khun Wit smiled. "Don't worry, your muscles will soon get used to this."