During one of my vacations with my parents, cousins, and sister, I went to this place where a baby elephant named Rani and Mother elephant Meena lived. While we were waiting for safari, we all played hopscotch, run, and catch, also enacted a small drama based on the Baahubali movie. My character was palvaldevan, my elder sister was rajamatha and my younger sister was Baahubali. At last, it was our turn for the safari. I was so excited, but then when I sat on the elephant, I became so sad. So many thoughts came to my mind.
How do these elephants live in a place where they roam, with no other friends. Every day, Rani would carry human beings on safari rides. Despite completing many safaris, although they feel very exhausted, they must carry so many human beings and complete all the safari’s that their master or owner asks them to do. Every night before they went to bed, how tired would they be about doing the same activity again tomorrow.
On the other side, the forest elephants used to happily play in the river, enjoy themselves splashing around. They lived independently and did what every they wanted to do, whenever they wanted to go. It was just the opposite of life lived by Rani and Meena.
My mind kept repeating that If I had to carry people on my back all day, how painful would it be? Isn’t it the same pain for the elephant too? Why can’t we human beings say NO to riding on elephants back and give them the independence that they are looking for? How lovely would it be for them to enjoy their lives as much as we do.
We as a family, decided that day to not ride on elephants and I also shared it back with my friends. Me and my friends as a small community decided not to go on elephant rides.
May, 2024
