Ralph Helfer (28 page)
Authors: Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived
Tags: #Circus Animals, #Juvenile Nonfiction, #Circus, #Animals, #Elephants, #Mammals, #Nature, #Performing Arts, #Modoc (Elephant), #General, #Wildlife, #Biography & Autobiography, #Essays, #Human-Animal Relationships
Bram died soon after Mo’s birthday celebration.
Mo was to follow shortly.
Who is to say that their Cross-Over wasn’t arranged, so she wouldn’t be…alone.
Move UP, Mo!
The ragged flapping ears slapped alert.
The massive trunk swayed, spraying dust
Huge mammoth pondering feet stirred
Keeping in step.
As though waiting for the inner beat.
Then, gathering it all together
All parts lurching in unison
…it MOVED!
Nine thousand one hundred eighty pounds
Eight foot two
…moved.
Move UP, Mo!
Her tail swayed as if to keep the balance,
Her trunk touching out in front of her to check the ground.
And if you fall, don’t FRET, Mo.
The chains, the cranes, our LOVE will get you up.
Trunk UP, Mo!
Lift me up (I need it now).
Pack your trunk, smell the flowers,
Fall asleep against the old oak.
Talk to the birds, talk to the children,
Lift them to your mighty back
Spray them with water till they giggle
Your trunk was so long
A trunk was born
And God added an elephant.
Lean way down, I’ll put my eye to yours.
Or is it yours? For it seems another is looking out at me from inside.
How you loved it when we patted your tongue and pulled your teats. The bellowing rumble emitting from your cavernous tune seemed to say, “I was great, wasn’t I?”
And you were! So great! So kind! So gentle!
A good life you had, Mo. Seventy-eight years. You were the oldest! World traveled…India, Germany, England, the U.S.A. The great days of the circus, the calliope, the midway: “Step right up and see the great Modoc!” Center ring, you had, Mo. Remember the lights, the popcorn, the clowns. “Ladies and gentlemen…children of all ages.” The great tent would darken, voices would still, the music would begin. A spotlight blasted the darkness on you, Mo!
Bedazzled with sequins, the sop would follow you, swaying and bowing. Trunk up! Head down! No trainer, Mo. You did it…alone, alone! Lights on! An avalanche of applause and then back to the menagerie tent. Pushing, pulling, helping…always helping, no complaining.
Remember the fire, Mo! The screaming people! The frantic animals? How many you saved? Pulling circus wagons free, pushing, lifting fiery beams. And the poisoning? So many died, but you survived. Remember, Mo?
And then that horrible day the mad, drunk keeper blinded you in one eye. One-eye Mo, they called you. Couldn’t use you then. No green pastures, no thanks. For ten years you stayed in that zoo, Mo. So thin, so depressed. I didn’t even have
enough money to buy you. Had to borrow. Not even a truck to haul you. Took a loan. We suffered hard time together, Mo, good old, Mo. I owe most all to you. It was you who gave to me! You trained me! You taught me how to “affection train.”
Move, up, Mo!
Move up through those great gates!
Make way for the best of them all!
Crank open those pearly gates just a little wider
Strengthen that bridge a little stronger
…for Mo’s comin’!
Move UP, Mo!
Give her a railing to guide her.
She only has one good eye.
Call out to her loudly but with love
Her hearing’s not too good.
I know her great legs are weak.
But she can make it.
You won’t have to worry about her
complaining.
Or giving you any cause for trouble.
Mo’s a good girl
It’s time to go, Mo.
May you live in a gentle jungle
And when my time comes,
Let down your trunk, Mo
And lift me up
to YOU, Mo.
to you.
(Written two days after Mo’s death)
R
ALPH
D. H
ELFER
I have had the good fortune to be allowed to enter into the mysterious world of an exotic animal from the inside out, to live there and learn the wonders it has to offer.
The trail that leads into this sphere forms the epicenter, where the essences of animal thoughts, feelings, and being live. Sometimes it can be difficult to fathom, and one needs a special family of talented friends to see one through. I have been so very fortunate to have had them when I have lost my way. Together we have held hands to build an energy that has made this book possible. My love, thanks, and appreciation go out to:
Tana—her father’s mind reader. Our energy so much alike. We’re always in tune with each other. She always knew what was to be. Miku Musoke—my lady, who “lived” the day-by-day adventure. She held me together during the trying times. Toni Law—the Faithful Keeper who always saw
Modoc
completed and waited patiently for it to happen. Donna Zerner—wise with the ways of words. Brought to
Modoc
her
marvelous spiritual energy believing in it from the start. Laurie Rose—from the beginning, her belief inspired me to heights not known before. Cathi—a sister who’s always been there, far beyond the simple family duties. Stevie—whose inspiration will always be in my heart, even from so far a distance. Richard Curtis, my agent, who launched my career by believing in me and encouraging me to write from my heart. HarperCollins’s wonderful team of talented people from Lawrence P. Ashmead and Jason S. Kaufman for giving both support and sound advice, to the copy editor, typesetter, and designer. All animal lovers.
And finally, Rebecca St. George—metaphysical, of the Earth. A writer in her own right whose detailed contributions and wisdom helped inspire and challenge me to make
Modoc
a true and loving tribute.
R
ALPH
H
ELFER
is a well-known Hollywood animal trainer who was one of the first to use affection and kindness to train wild animals. He is the author of
The Beauty of the Beasts
, and he lives in Los Angeles and Kenya, where he leads safari tours.
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T
HE
B
EAUTY OF THE
B
EASTS
Photo insert excluded from e-book edition.
MODOC
. Copyright © 1997 by Ralph Helfer. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
ePub edition April 2007 ISBN 9780061748288
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