For children: Elephant calf Maula Bux is captured by humans and sold into hard labour

There were some twenty-five captives in the enclosure, of whom our elephant was the largest: and it was well for him that he made no determined efforts to escape for in order to avoid any risk of loss of the catch, his life would have been sacrificed at once; a well-directed bullet at close quarters would have ended his history. But, with the patient equanimity of his kind, when faced with unavoidable misfortunes, he remained placidly standing, awaiting his fate. In a few hours, most of the captives grew accustomed to the sight and scent of human brings; they raised no objections when men seated on tame elephants moved amongst them; they even submitted when, huddled between two trained animals, ropes were passed over their necks; and, most dangerous task to those so employed, when other ropes were secured to their hind-legs. Thus, one by one, they were led out through the narrow doorway in the direction of the camp, to be tied to stout trees by the heel ropes.

Against these bonds they strained with all their weight, desisting only when the ropes cut deep into the flesh and imprinted on them the brand of slavery, always to be found…

Read more