The elephant was on his way to the special clearing. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and his haste was evident as he waded through the jungle.
The other animals were wary of his travels at the best of times, so acted cautiously until he was well past. However, during these instances of more unfocused haste, they made themselves scarce as soon as the first tremors of his movements reached their sensitive feet.
And they made certain that it was only the distant echo of his passage which they felt before they returned to their regular routines.
As usual, the elephant was oblivious to all the consternation he created as he rushed forward with his single intent. At such times, the jungle became a green blur as he raced past, and the warning cries of the other animals were just a jumble in his huge ears.
He had trouble keeping on the established path and kicked out at any root or stump which impeded him. It was only as he approached the clearing that he slowed to a semblance of his regular gait. He wanted to catch his breath so he would not be panting and incoherent when he reached his destination.
He even wondered if his appearance might not be important this time; so he spent several moments with his trunk addressing his toilette before he entered the clearing.
A cloud eased out of the eastern corner and descended to meet him.
“Hi,” said the elephant.
“I have noted,” said God, “that the supplications of my other creatures increase tenfold during the span of one of your hasty progressions.”
“Ah.” The elephant felt a slight loss of his enthusiasm. “Sorry.”
“And that some of the comments surrounding my name would be frowned upon in more genteel society.”
“They can be a disrespectful lot,” agreed the elephant.
“So. Although your personal hygiene does not do much to redress the situation, the thought is appreciated.” The cloud came very low over the elephant’s back and touched him between the shoulders. “You missed a spot.”
“Thanks.”
“Now.” The cloud returned to the elephant’s line of vision. “What can be done for you today?”
“You know I have a couple of kids?”
“Yes,” said the cloud. “One of each.” There was a slight pause. “Your son is twice as old as your daughter. Both are healthy and vigourous.”
“Yes.” The elephant nodded his head.
“And they’re not far from going out on their own.”
“Yes.” The elephant sounded rueful. “The girl has already foraged by herself a couple of times.”
“Good.” The cloud paused again. “So what do you want to —”
“Can they meet you?” The elephant’s words burst out of him in a rush.
“No.” God’s answer was equally abrupt.
“But I —,” began the elephant.
“It must be earned,” said God. “In fact, it must be earned without trying.” The cloud started to move. “You can’t have a dynasty.”
“I want to share my joy.”
“As children …” The cloud halted in its ascent. “As do all children … they have seen me. That is the right of children. And although they call me by many names and see me in many forms, they know there is a friend who is with them.”
“I don’t remember you,” said the elephant.
“No. You are not to remember.”
“And then do you go away?”
“No,” said God. “They leave me.”
“Why?”
“To live a life,” said God, relenting as he once again approached the elephant. “As your children will with you.” The cloud chuckled. “As it sounds your girl is already beginning to do.” God laughed outright and startled the elephant. “As you have done so … extravagantly … with your life. I never heard such fervent entreaties as those which came from your own parents.”
“I was a pain,” said the elephant.
“In the resounding elephantine buttocks,” agreed God.
“They wanted to stop me,” said the elephant. “They wanted me to be like everyone else.”
“That isn’t fair,” said God. “Nor is it accurate. I heard from them enough. They desired neither of those things.”
“But —”
“They wanted you to be safe,” said God. “They wanted you to be healthy. They wanted you to be happy.”
“My girl says I want her to be too careful and safe.”
“Yes,” said God. “I know.”
“Is she talking to you?” The elephant snorted in surprise, and a foolish grin crossed his face.
“It’s a good thing,” said the cloud, as it once again started into the sky, “that I am an eternal God existing in infinite time. Your family alone has seen fit to keep me well occupied.”
“Will you answer her?” asked the elephant.
“Of course I’ll answer her, as I answer all who come unto me.” The cloud began to move across the sky. “But in this case, I think I’ll let you do the talking.”