Elephant Talks to God Read Online Free PDF

worry.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” said the elephant.
    â€œAnother extreme,” responded the cloud. “You’re lucky I’m not much for brimstone, or you might get a fiery swat on your big behind.” The cloud chuckled a moment. “Although I suppose it would hardly sting.”
    â€œYou did give me a tough hide,” reminded the elephant.
    â€œAnother expression is ‘thick skin,’” said God.
    â€œAm I to take a hint from that?” asked the elephant.
    â€œTake the hint,” said the cloud as it rose back into the sky. “And take your muddy feet, the warm sun, your full belly, the beautiful day, the joy of life, and my goodblessings; and savour them and everything else down there totally until it’s time for you to croak.” The cloud was high and moving rapidly. “Now get going,” said God.
    The elephant took the hint.

A Small Elephant
    The elephant was standing in the heart of the grasslands.
    As far as he could see (and he turned deliberately in every direction), the verdant surroundings bowed and rippled at the whim of the wind.
    â€œI’m a speck,” said the elephant.
    â€œIn a manner of speaking,” said God.
    â€œRight smack in the middle.”
    â€œSomewhat compassably inaccurate,” noted the cloud, whilst moving about to take measurements.
    â€œEverywhere I look is just grass.”
    â€œAs high as the elephant’s eye,” agreed the cloud.
    â€œI’ve never felt so small, even when I was looking over the ocean.” The elephant stared straight at the cloud. “Even when I gazed at the stars.” The elephant shook his head. “There, I felt a part of something.” His voice turned doubtful. “But here, I feel surrounded.”
    â€œThat may be because you are surrounded.”
    â€œGod!” the elephant snorted. “Sometimes you’re not much help.”
    â€œYes, I sometimes hear that.” The cloud came lower over the elephant. “But probably not as often as you’d think.” The cloud chuckled. “At times, not even as often as I would think.” The cloud paused in thought. “I’ve given you a piece of truth — a truth which you yourself perceived. If you get truth under your big feet, you can stand up to anything.”
    â€œBut I already know the truth about my situation.” The elephant pointedly looked around him. “I’m a dot on the landscape, and I feel afraid.”
    â€œTruth,” agreed God. “But a partial truth. Why do you feel afraid?”
    â€œBecause I’m apart from everything around me,” said the elephant. “And because I’m not a part of what surrounds me.” He stamped his foot on the ground. “And because the two things are not the same.”
    â€œNo,” agreed God again. “They’re not.”
    â€œIs this some great truth?” asked the elephant.
    â€œAll truth is great,” said the cloud. “No matter how small.”
    â€œSo … so … so,” sputtered the elephant. “I get to know the truth — or a trunkful of truth.” He abruptly pointed with his trunk. “Or a grassland full of truth. How does that get rid of my fear?”
    â€œI didn’t say that truth would eliminate your fear.” The cloud came closer to the elephant. “Fear is an active part of all life, serving many purposes.” The cloud caused the grass to wave. “You would not be well-servedif I suddenly blew away your fear. If you stand afraid because you stand alone — well, big fellow, your fear is justified. You do stand alone.”
    â€œThis does not seem to be much comfort from a God of love.”
    â€œThe last time I looked,” responded the cloud, “neither truth nor love were very comfortable situations.”
    â€œYet you keep telling me …” The elephant was almost lost for words. “You insist that I