The bank of a river located in a large forest was home to many carpenters.
These carpenters traveled on the river in boats looking for trees to turn into lumber.
One day while they were out, and elephant came to them limping on three legs.
The fourth foot that was in the air was swollen and sore.
This was due to a large splinter.
The carpenters pulled the splinter out of the elephant's foot.
They also washed the elephant's foot so that the wound would heal quickly.
The elephant was thankful for the nice act that the carpenters had done.
He wanted to return the favor.
The elephant helped the carpenters pull down trees and carry goods.
All the while, the carpenters gave the elephant food to eat.
The elephant had a son who was young, strong, and white in color.
The elephant was growing old and knew that soon he would no longer be able to help the carpenters.
The elephant decided to bring his son to work so that his son could learn what he does.
That way his son could continue to help the carpenters.
The elephant told his son how the carpenters treated him well when he was injured.
So the son helped the carpenters and they fed him just like they fed his father.
The carpenters sons and the elephants son became good friends.
One day after work, they all played in the river together.
The young elephant would pick up the kids with his trunk and put them in trees or on his back.
A king came through the forest one day and say the beautiful elephant working for the carpenters.
He wanted the elephant so he paid them a good price for him.
The king treated the elephant well for as long as they both were alive.
I guess this is a story for how elephants came to live under human captivity. Kind of cool!
Bibliography
Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt
Image Information: The King on His White Elephant: Wikimedia Commons
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