Once upon a time, there was an elephant named Joe. He belonged to the traveling circus. He loved the life of a performer. He danced and tossed a big ball back and forth. He even stood up on a large drum, on only one foot! He loved to show off for the people of all ages that came to see the circus.
Joe had grown up in a hot, faraway land. He didn't remember much of his life there except for his mother, who was the kindest and gentlest elephant. She took great care of him and loved him, until the day when the big men with guns came and knocked her down. She never got up again.
Some other, nicer men came and took him on a boat to America, where they brought him to join the circus. His trainer gave him food, changed his hay and taught him all kinds of new tricks as he grew up to be a big strong elephant. He had a gorgeous wardrobe. Everyone patted him on his giant head and gave him treats. He was proud of his job. He loved his circus life very much.
One day, when the circus came to a new city, Joe saw from the window of his trailer that there were people standing on the sidewalk, people who were carrying signs and yelling very loudly. They didn't look happy like most people visiting the circus, they looked angry! Later when he asked his trainer what the people were mad about, his trainer said the people were called 'protesters' and they were angry because they thought the animals should be free, not part of the circus. Joe was shocked.
He could not believe what he had heard! He loved the circus! He had everything he needed there! Not only did he have food, water and shelter, he was quite fulfilled in his work as a circus elephant! Why would people say that he and the other animals should be taken out of the circus? What would they do? Where would they live? Joe went to sleep that evening scared and worried.
The next day, Joe was in the lot outside the circus tent. He had practiced that morning, and now was enjoying his hay. Suddenly he heard yelling. He saw the protesters again! They were right near his training ring. He walked over to them and asked them why they were so angry.
The group of people was shocked that an elephant had spoken to them! One person finally recovered enough to tell Joe what they were angry about. She told him that it was unfair that he was locked and chained up in the circus...that he was no more than a prisoner, a slave. He wasn't treated well and he was forced to perform tricks for audiences all over the country. He had terrible food, not enough water and mean trainers. She told him that they were all there today, fighting for Joe's rights. Expecting Joe to gratefully bow on one knee with happiness, the protester was stunned when Joe spoke again.
Joe asked her where she had gotten all this information. She told him that it was common knowledge that circus animals were treated inhumanely. She showed him a pamphlet with a horrible photo of a sad, old elephant with sores on his toes and rips in his ears. She told him not to worry though, that they were here to fight for him.
Calmly and clearly, Joe told the protester that, in this case, she was wrong. There may be other elephants in other circuses that are suffering, but not here, not him. He told her what every animal in this circus knew, that he loved his job and his life here. He patiently explained how well he was treated, and what joy it gave him to see such happiness on the faces of circus visitors. He said that he was never chained, never whipped or mistreated, and he had apples and carrots any old time he wanted. As the protester's anger faded, as she listened to Joe and his side of the story, he added one more thing...the moral of this story.
"We don't see the world as it is, we see it as we are."
Joe went on. "Just because you can't imagine being in a certain place or circumstance, doesn't mean it's not a fantastic situation for someone else. I had a great childhood until my mother died. I was afraid but it turned out just as it should. I was brought to the circus and I have loved it from the very beginning. It's my home. It's my livelihood. It's my passion. I can't imagine being anywhere else. Not to mention, who's going to hire a middle-aged elephant with limited job skills? Your concern is admirable, but please stop being angry for me. I'm very happy here! Come see the performance tonight and see for yourself!"
The protester listened to him carefully. She smiled. She offered her hand for him to shake and he offered his long bristly trunk. They shook 'hands' in understanding. The protester spoke briefly to her group and they headed away from the circus tent. Joe, knowing he had taught, and learned, a valuable lesson today, went back to his afternoon snack in peace. The protesters never came back again and everyone lived happily ever after.
The Ripple? Ah, yes, The Ripple. All it takes for a ripple of misunderstanding to begin is one party trumpeting their message without checking out the facts first. In other words, the protester and her posse proceeded with poor particulars, purporting to protect the pachyderms. In fact, their ignorance of what was really true in Joe's world started a ripple of anger and confusion that filtered down to a ripple of fear for Joe and his friends. On the other hand, what a beautiful ripple was created when The Elephant helped The Protester see his world, his way, through her eyes! So much more lovely than the first.
Try to see what you see from the eyes of another. The ripples you start, and stop, will amaze you.
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