I saw this thing in the woods today,
It wasn’t quite purple or pink or gray,
I wasn’t sure if I should greet it,
Surely my greeting wouldn’t please it…

I had been trotting through the autumn sun,
Rather oblivious to everyone,
When suddenly I spied
A young boy running by…

“Where are you running to, so fast,”
I asked the lad as he ran past…
“I have a date with the elefan-tun-tous,”
He said with no trace of boo hoos…

I tailed the boy as he footed it;
It could be interesting, couldn’t it?!
As we came to a clearing, I started to fearing,
For there were the elefan-tun-touses leering!

I stayed on the path as the boy approached the beast,
I thought he would certainly make the creature’s next feast,
But I was quite wrong, for the animal bent down,
He bent down all the way to the ground…

He hunkered down to the level of him,
And the boy climbed on up on the creatures great skin,
And the creature reared up with just a little jump,
Careful to keep the boy on his lump.

I was surprised, and I’m sure that I drooled,
For the elefan-ton-tous looked at me like a fool.
The boy layed himself down on the striped wrinkled skin,
In the sun, with straw in his mouth, and a grin.

I stood there and wished that I’d had the guts to try,
To approach the great beast, and ride up near the sky.
But alas, I am here, down on these two feet.
I guess I’ll finish my walk on the street.

But then the beast lumbered along,
Towards the path on which I was walking upon,
He trumpeted, and jumped up and down,
He danced a jig and did the splits on the ground.

I was so tickled, I laughed out loud.
Funny that such a creature could be such a clown!
I hopped up on the big fellows back, up near the sky,
And we’re still there, Mr. Elefan-ton-tous, the boy and I.

Now I didn’t tell you this tale to learn any lessons,
But if you wanted one, I suppose you could get one:
Don’t fear beastly creatures just because they’re not clean,
Instead ask them questions, and feed them green beans…

If they want to eat you, stay far from their mouths,
If they want to cook you, you better leave town…
But if they are nice, they will be your best friends,
And maybe they’ll let you ride near the sky once again!

(Kent Gustavson, October 30, 2005)