A village temple used to keep an elephant. The elephant greeted devotees visiting the temple at the entrance. Everyone loved the elephant.
Every evening, the elephant would go to a pond to take a dip. On the way, he would stop at a tailor’s shop and raise his trunk to greet the tailor. The tailor used to offer the elephant a banana. The elephant would gulp it down, thank the tailor by raising his trunk, and walk away.
One evening the tailor was in a mischievous mood. When the elephant greeted him and stretched his trunk to collect the banana, the tailor playfully pricked the elephant with a needle. The elephant winced in pain. The tailor laughed loudly. The wounded animal walked away.
Next day, as usual, the elephant went to the pond for a bath. On the way back, he stopped at another pond with muddy water. Then he walked purposefully to the tailor’s shop. The tailor was busy with his work. He had stitched several dresses, and had ironed and neatly arranged them. He was admiring his work, when he saw the elephant stop at his shop and raise his trunk. The next moment, the elephant sent forth a spray of muddy water, and drenched the newly-stitched clothes.
The tailor was shocked. He joined his hands in salutation. “Serves me right, friend. I was nasty to you and you have returned the compliment.” Then the tailor assured his friend, “I will never hurt you again.”
The elephant nodded his head, raised his trunk and walked away majestically.
