Elephant Talks to God Read Online Free PDF Page A

folly: and indeed bear with me.’”
    â€œTouché,” chuckled the cloud. “You certainly make use of that memory I gave you. Now if you would only be content with God’s gifts as they are, your health would be the better for it.”
    â€œBut I look at the butterflies and —”
    â€œYou don’t look closely enough,” the cloud shifted slightly; there was a pause. “The butterfly is light and properly proportioned. Its wings were created to take benefit of the air. Its weight allows it to soar with the currents; its movements take it through its life.”
    â€œIn the sky it’s so beautiful.”
    â€œYou have your beauty.”
    â€œNot like the butterfly.”
    â€œNo, you don’t have beauty like a butterfly, but you have as much beauty as the butterfly.”
    â€œIt’s not the same.”
    â€œHad I wanted you all the same, I would have created everything the same and settled for boredom.”
    â€œI want to see what it’s like up there.”
    â€œYou haven’t been listening,” said God.
    â€œYes, I have, you know,” the elephant smiled. “You haven’t said that I’m not to try.”
    â€œNo, I haven’t.” There was laughter sparkling around the words. “Free will, remember.”
    â€œSo you don’t mind?”
    â€œNo,” said the cloud, starting to rise. “You won’t be the first not to listen.”
    â€œAnd I might succeed,” said the elephant.
    â€œYes, you might,” agreed the cloud. “Such things can happen. They’re called miracles.”
    â€œI think I know more of a real miracle,” laughed the elephant, pointing toward the butterfly with his trunk. “She wants me to show her how to uproot a tree.”

    â€œYou make a grand pair,” called God, now distant in the sky. But the cloud did not move immediately away, for miracles really are rare, and they are interesting to watch.

Take the Hint
    The elephant was standing in the special clearing watching the fluffy white cloud come lower and lower out of the sky. He felt mildly more agitated than usual and was wondering how he would approach God this time, for this query seemed far more foolish than any of his previous ones. Yet, God seemed to have an inexhaustible patience, and the elephant reasoned that any Deity who could put up with the incessant chatterings of the monkeys day in and day out could put up with anything. The cloud’s shadow was shading the elephant’s face when he cleared his throat.
    â€œAh, hello,” said the elephant.
    â€œYou know,” said God, “any sound of life gives me pleasure. That’s why the monkeys don’t bother me.”
    â€œReally?” The elephant was taken aback. “All that noise?”
    â€œIt isn’t noise,” said the cloud. “It’s glorious life. I hear you breathing,” added God, “and it soothes me.”
    â€œReally?” repeated the elephant, far less apprehensive than before. “I can do that for you?”
    â€œYes,” said God. “You please me even with your questions; so what is it this time?”
    The elephant looked stupidly at his dirty feet and then looked back to the cloud. “I’ve been feeling awfully content about things lately, and …,” he paused. “And it worries me.”
    â€œYou’re worried about feeling too good?”
    â€œYes,” answered the elephant. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œI could give you a toothache,” said God.
    â€œI’m serious,” insisted the elephant.
    â€œWorry is an extreme I never meant to be,” said God. “Caution, yes — I think you should be careful. And preparation, yes — you should have some interest in what’s going to happen and be ready to make the most of whatever befalls you. But I never thought these would be taken to an extreme and create