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Heartwarming (?) Elephant Story

By
Real Estate Agent with Connect Realty.com

This was so heartwarming I had to share...


In 1986, Dan Harrison ( see picture above ) was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University .
On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Dan approached it very carefully.
He got down on one knee and inspected the elephant's foot and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it.
As carefully and as gently as he could, Dan worked the wood out with his hunting knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot.
The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments.
Dan stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away.
Dan never forgot that elephant or the events of that day.
Twenty years later, Dan was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son.
As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Dan and his son Dan Jr. were standing.
The large bull elephant stared at Dan , lifted its front foot off the ground, and then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man.
  
Remembering the encounter in 1986, Dan couldn't help wondering if this was the same elephant.
Dan summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Dan's legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly.  
Probably wasn't the same elephant.

Okay...it was so funny I had to share.   Love those "didn't see that coming" stories!!! 

 

Kristal Reid
Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty - Zebulon, GA
Zebulon, GA
I so did not see that coming.  I was so close to having tears well-up in my eyes and then boom...a punchline!  Thanks :)
Mar 19, 2008 04:30 PM
Brian Keller
Brian Keller Realty - Newport, TN
Realtor
good story
Mar 19, 2008 04:31 PM
Gary Bolen
McCall Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA
CRS - Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information
What a great twisted ending. Wish someday they'd end a movie like that. But it's a tragic story nontheless.  Have you ever seen the video "Bambi meets Godzilla?"
Mar 19, 2008 04:34 PM
Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management
That is a great story, really set me up.  Loved it.
Mar 19, 2008 04:37 PM
Elaine A. Cook
Connect Realty.com - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Real Estate
Okay, I did set you up for a twisted ending!!!  But more importantly, why are we still up and on Active Rain!!! lol
Mar 19, 2008 04:44 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes
Oh my, that was a story that had me going and then pow... wow. Poor guy.
Mar 19, 2008 04:45 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
You're sick, you're just SICK!
Mar 19, 2008 04:49 PM
Elaine A. Cook
Connect Realty.com - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Real Estate
Rich:  I know, I know!!!! lol
Mar 19, 2008 04:50 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital
Elaine, you're right!  I sure didn't see that ending!  It's the middle of the night here, and I thought I'd read some posts to help get to sleep - like that's working real well!  
Mar 19, 2008 07:47 PM
Andy Laughlin
ConnectRealty.com - Bellingham, WA

HAHA...Thats a good one!! I need to get me some of those!

Apr 14, 2008 09:22 AM
Anonymous
Ann

Hope this was not a true story - at least not the ending.  The story would have been heartwarming had not been for the end.  I don't find it funny if this is true. 

Jul 09, 2008 01:17 AM
#11
Elaine A. Cook
Connect Realty.com - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Real Estate

Ann:  Of course it is not true.  That is why it is in the "joke" section of Active Rain.  Twisted, yes...true no! 

Jul 09, 2008 02:26 AM