Adventure, July 1, 1928 — page 58: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

52 CLARK BROCKMAN fully formed and at first the trunk hung down with a slight curl at the tip; but as I watched, the trunk curled over the fore- head as if the cloud elephant were saluting ‘the king. As the sun set, the whole body of the cloud elephant was changed to a deep pink, which, Nai Som-er-fee knows, is the real color of an albino elephant. The tail remained white long after the rest of the body had been colored by the rays of the setting sun, and I doubt not that it will be found that there are white hairs on the tail.” “It is true,” broke in Boon. “And if his tail is white,” continued Panya, “he is a white elephant in spite of any other qualities he may lack. Nai Som-er-fee has heard the old proverb: ‘When buying an elephant study his tail; when buying a wife, study her mother.’ “That, Nai Som-er-fee, was the first omen. Then, that night, there was a rain the like of which has not been heard of in this region for a hundred years. There was no stint to Buddha’s generosity. I have been told that your company floated out logs that have been lying in the bed of the Me Mai for over ten years. That rain flooded rice fields that were parched, and it will flood rice fields from here to Krung Tape—Bangkok—as it flows down the river. “After such a rain as that to usher in his representative, would God Buddha give us an elephant that is only partially white? I have not seen, Nai Som-er-fee, but I believe that the elephant is white, as Boon has told us. I believe that the new king has great merit and that God is showing his approval by sending an ele- phant perfect in all eight points. He is also showing his approval of the company by having his representative arrive in its herd. The company has great merit.” tion of the old man’s conipliment. ‘Nai Panya, how does'this show that Buddha approves of the new king?” “The ancient tradition says that there is a white elephant born in the kingdom whenever a new king comes to the throne Gen the old smiled in apprecia- —if that king has the approval of God Buddha. It he does not have the approval, no white elephant is born.. The white elephant is therefore the representative of Buddha. Some say that it is Buddha himself coming in the form of an elephant, but I doubt that. That Buddha did come to earth once in the form of a white ele- phant is beyond question—every priest will tell you that—but that was many years ago. “Tn ancient times the king sent princes to escort the white elephant to his palace. A gorgeous hall was erected in the palace grounds for his abode. Dancing girls and musicians were in constant attendance. He was fed by slaves in splendid uniforms, who offered him food on platters of silver and gold. A body of priests were appointed to chant prayers before him and also to give him instruction in conduct and man- ners. Singers from the royal opera sang him to sleep. He was treated as the Buddha himself might be treated. “But the late king forgot the ways of his ancestors and the white elephants were put in stables and lacked attention— at least, so I have been told. He died a young man. But Buddha is honoring the new king, and the birth of this elephant proves that the new king has great merit. I have heard people say he was unworthy because no white elephant was born, but now here is the proof of Buddha’s favor. Who dares doubt now?” HERE was a murmur of approval when the old man finished speaking. After waiting a few moments the spirit doctor continued: “Some time ago Nai Som-er-fee told me that there was no significance in names. He told me that I was not wise simply because my name Panya, means ‘Wise’. Perhaps he will say that Bua Kam— Moon-white Lotus—the name of the mother elephant, has no connection with giving birth to a white elephant. Perhaps he will say that Nai Boon, the rider, is not lucky although his name means luck.” “I am indeed lucky, Nai Som-er-fee,” said Boon; his frank young face all aglow comnliclooolks.conn