My Friend the Elephant 99 



at the delicacies they could not hope to enjoy. It 

 occurred to me that it might not be a bad idea to 

 organize a little excursion party out of this group, 

 and give them a ride upon the elephant's back. I 

 spoke to the keeper about it, and, a little to my sur- 

 prise, he not only consented, but seemed to be very 

 glad to do so. I wish my readers could have seen 

 the expressions upon the faces of the children when 

 I suggested my plan to them. Their eyes dilated, 

 smiles came over their faces, and it did not require 

 the eager words they uttered to show me that my 

 invitation was instantly accepted. And what a jolly 

 party they did make ! The new sensation of being 

 away up in the air, conveyed by the huge animal 

 upon whom they looked with awe, made their cheeks 

 flush and their eyes sparkle with pleasure and excite- 

 ment. Poor little things, how they did enjoy it ! 



But what attracted my attention even more was 

 the fact that the elephant himself seemed to under- 

 stand the little party perfectly, and seemed especially 

 glad to have them on his back. I walked along 

 beside him while the children were having their ride, 

 and he wound his trunk about my hand in a par- 



