An Elephant Never Forgets

0:00At Amika Insurance, we know it's not just about where you're going, but who you go with. That's why we work even harder to protect what matters most. And as a mutual insurance company, we're built for our customers and prioritize your needs. Amika, empathy is our best policy. Visit Amika.com and get a quote today. You know what, it sucks to be bored. But when I get on my phone and play real casino games on spinquest.com, the time flies by. That two hour wait at the DMV seems like 10 minutes. Play your favorite spots, live black check, live preps with a live dealer. New players, $30 coin packs are on sale for $10. Play spinquest.com and you'll never be bored again. Spinquest is a free to play social casino. Boydware prohibited, visit spinquest.com for more details.

1:00Hello, my name's Josephine and this is the Animal Tales podcast where you suggest the animals featured in our stories. They're in new tales to enjoy every Monday and Wednesday, with a third premium only story every Friday. Please continue to share animal tales with your friends and leave us reviews where you can. Ellie and Leart are from California in the USA and they would like a story featuring an elephant and a dog. You can learn more about these creatures in the animal facts after the story. Okay, are you ready? That's good, then I'll begin. An elephant never forgets.

2:00Leart was on his way home, a bone held between his jaws. He was feeling good. He hadn't had a proper meal in days and the bone was an excellent find. Leart was a stray dog. He lived in the hills between a handful of small villages which he would visit in search of food. As a stray, he wasn't always welcomed by the villagers, so he never stuck around for long. Despite that, he liked his ability to go anywhere and do anything he pleased, although it often meant that he was hungry and on his own. But today was a good day. Rummaging amongst the waste, Leart had found the large bone and now he was taking it back to his shelter beneath an old and rusty metal sheet, determined not to let any of the other stray dogs see his prize, or even worse any of the wilder, bigger animals that might be lurking nearby.

3:02Halfway there, Leart heard a strange sound. He sounded like a very quiet trumpet. He didn't want to investigate it because he really wanted to get somewhere safe with his bone, but the odd sound came again. When he heard it a third time, Leart just had to see what it was, even though his stomach growled in protest. He hid the bone beneath some stones, then began to push through a patch of dense bushes. The trumpeting sound was coming from a young elephant. She had her trunk in the air and was walking in circles her head swinging back and forth. Leart had never seen such a young elephant on their own before. Elephants usually travelled in herds apart from large males. There were very social animals that looked out for one another. So why was this one here, all on her own?

4:03Leart was unsure what to do. His bone was waiting for him, but this young elephant looked as if she might be in trouble. Could he really just leave her here? It was at that moment that the elephant caught sight of the dog in the shadows of the leaves. She stopped her marching, dropped her trunk and spread her ears. Who are you, asked the little elephant? I'm Leart, replied the dog. Are you lost? The elephant nodded, making her trunk bounce. Yep, I've just lost my family, but it's all right. That doesn't sound all right, said the concerned dog. Do you need help? Nope, the elephant replied cheerfully. My mum told me that if I ever got lost, I'm to meet her at the lake. Oh, well, that's good, said Leart, as he emerged into the light. Can you remember where this lake is?

5:08Of course, said the elephant. An elephant never forgets. Then why are you walking in circles here, and not at this lake, Leart asked? I was just trying to remember which way to go, said the little elephant. I think it's called, um, it's called, have you forgotten, Leart asked? No, no, insisted the elephant. It's on the tip of my tongue. This was frustrating, thought Leart. He wanted to believe the young elephant would be fine so that he could get back to his delicious bone. But despite saying otherwise, she didn't seem to know what to do or where to go. Maybe I should help, Leart suggested. Dogs are good at finding things. Maybe I can help you find this lake. Well, I suppose that would be all right, said the elephant somewhat reluctantly.

6:12My name's Ellie, by the way. Nice to meet you, said the dog. Now, can you remember anything at all about where you're supposed to go? Past the date palms to the Sleeping Giant, said Ellie confidently. I just, um, can't remember which way that is. Sleeping Giant, repeated Leart. Are you sure? Of course, said Ellie. The Sleeping Giant lies on his back as he looks at the sky. That's what my mum told me. I remember, and an elephant never forgets. All right, said Leart. I know where there are some date palms. You best come with me. The date palms weren't too far away, near the river. But when they arrived, Leart couldn't see anything that looked like a Sleeping Giant. On the river's opposite side, the tall man was walking by, although he wasn't lying down.

7:15Is that the Giant? Asked the dog. No, giggled the elephant. The Giant is sleeping, remember? I haven't forgotten that part because an elephant never forgets. What about along the bank there, said Leart, indicating where a giraffe stood with her eyes closed beneath one of the date palms? No, no, Ellie insisted. That's a giraffe, not a giant. Do you not know your animals? They walked beneath the date palms along the river bank until Ellie called out. There, that's the Giant! She was pointing with her trunk to some large rocks that lined the river up ahead. Leart squinted, but he couldn't see the Giant. I can't see it, he confessed. Look at the shape of the rocks, Ellie explained.

8:15Leart took another look, and this time he saw it. The silhouette of the rocks against the sky looked like a long human body lying on the ground. He could even make out the shape of a chin, nose and forehead. So, the Sleeping Giant was just some rocks, but I don't see a lake, just the river. That's because that's just the first part, silly, said Ellie, as if the fact was obvious. Now we cross the river to the bird-eating tree. A bird-eating tree, Leart repeated. He'd never heard of such a thing. Yes, a tree that eats birds, Ellie said, matter of factly. Well, if you say so, said the dog. The pair of them splashed into the water and swam across the slow-moving river, arriving on a muddy bank. There were lots of trees around them, but none of them looked as if they ate birds.

9:19But there was a track leading into a forest. I guess we go this way then, said Leart. Leart would stop and ask if a likely-looking tree was the one that ate birds. But Ellie would just giggle, saying, no, no, no, that's a regular tree. We need a bird-eating tree. Are you sure you've got this right, Ellie? Leart asked. Of course I'm sure, Ellie said. An elephant never forgets. How about this one, said Leart, pointing his nose towards a tree with a large hole in its trunk way above their heads? Um, said Ellie, thinking carefully. As she thought, a colourful-looking bird swept out of the sky to land on the whole's edge, then disappeared inside. That's it, she cried. The tree that eats birds.

10:20Few, said Leart. But I still can't see a lake. That's because we still have to go past the city, of course, said Ellie. A city, he repeated. Ellie, cities are dangerous. There are no place for animals like us. And the nearest city is a long, long way from here. This one's not dangerous, or far, Ellie insisted. Leart couldn't believe his ears, but he'd come this far. A second path split away under the bird-eating tree, so they took this one in search for the city. How many live in this city, Leart asked? I don't know, said Ellie. I've never counted them, millions, I guess. I can't believe your herd would make you go through a city, threaded Leart. Are you sure you're remembering that right?

11:20I'm sure, Ellie insisted. An elephant never forgets. I know, I know, Leart's side. The path took them up a steep slope through the trees, and at the top, Leart got the chance to see the landscape before them. He couldn't see a city anywhere. Surely this time the little elephant was wrong. The view was quickly swallowed up by the tree-tops once more as they began to descend the hill's far side. Leart's thoughts were turned to his bone as his belly grumbled. He was just about to declare that the search was hopeless when Ellie shouted, that's the city! Leart burst out laughing. It was a tall termite mound, home to several million termites. Their mound of dirt stood taller than Ellie. Very good, Leart had to admit.

12:22Try not to squish anyone, said Ellie, treading carefully as they passed. And there, just beyond the mound, Leart caught sight of a beautiful lake below them, its surface glistening. That's it, Leart said, sounding relieved. We found your meeting spot. But where's my herd, Ellie asked? They rushed down the path to the lake's edge, but there wasn't another elephant in sight. I was certain I'd got it right, Ellie muttered. Unless, is this our summer swimming lake, or our relaxing after a storm lake? Ellie, are you saying you might have remembered the way to the wrong lake? Leart said softly, seeing the elephant was becoming upset. I must be right, she sniffed. An elephant never forgets, but sometimes we do get a bit muddled.

13:28I shouldn't have helped you come here, said the dog. We should have stayed in one place and waited for the herd to find you. All he wanted was his bone, but somehow he'd ended up with an elephant. Then, from around the lake, came a familiar trumpeting sound. Mum shouted, Ellie, breaking into a run. The elephant heard rushed to surround their missing little one, caressing and touching her with their trunks. Leart kept his distance wary of all those large bodies and heavy feet. Thank you for helping Ellie find us again, said Ellie's mother after hearing the tale. I'm glad to have helped, the dog replied with a smile. Well, we won't forget your kindness in a hoey, the elephant replied. I know, nodded Leart, you elephants never forget.

14:29Waving their trunks goodbye, the herd moved away with Ellie shouting, I'll never forget you. This time, Leart was certain that she wouldn't. It was a long walk back to his buried bone, and he spent the entire time worrying it had been found and taken by another animal. But luckily for Leart, it was still there. So, later that evening, beneath his old metal sheet, he got to work on chewing the bone. There's not a lot of meat on a bone, certainly not enough to fill the belly of a small brown dog. So early the next morning, Leart was up and out again in search of food. He found very little and didn't do much better the day after that. On the third day, he returned to his den feeling hungry, miserable and more alone than he'd ever felt, until he saw the sack.

15:30It was the largest sack of dog food Leart had ever laid eyes on, and it had been pushed under the gap beneath the old rusty tin sheet. Where did it come from? He whispered to himself as he crept forward. His sensitive nose picked up the distinct smell of the elephants. It must have been them that have brought him this large reward. The elephants had said they wouldn't forget him, and here was the proof. What's up, baby? It's Bretski, and I'm here to tell you that SpinQuest.com is giving out three sweet coins. All you got to do is purchase a $10 coin pack, and guess what? They're going to give you the coins from a $30 coin pack. That lets you play all your favorite games like Blackjack, Wanted Dead or Wild, and we're talking real cash prizes, baby. SpinQuest.com SpinQuest is a free to play social casino.

16:30Boydware prohibited. Visit SpinQuest.com for more details. Animal Facts Stray dogs, sometimes called free-ranging dogs, are dogs that don't live with a human family. It's thought that in India alone there are 62 million dogs living this way. Across the globe, the total is close to 1 billion. There are many animal charities and organisations working to help these dogs, and to stop them from becoming a bigger problem. You can help the next time you're thinking of getting a dog by rehoming a dog from a shelter rather than getting one from a breeder. Baby elephants have a lot of work to do once they're born. Within just 20 minutes, their mother will have helped them to stand, and they can be walking in as little as an hour later. This allows the herd to stay on the move. Thank you for your suggestions, Ellie, and Leart.

17:33We hope you enjoyed the story, and thank you to all of you across the world for listening to it. Remember, if you prefer your stories advert free, then please consider our premium service through Apple or SuperCost. For a tiny fee, the stories are advert free. Join us next time for another great animal tale. Goodbye. Can you grab one more day? I'll come back up pretty soon. At Amika Insurance, we know you'll always find ways to look out for the people you love. And with Amika Life Insurance, we'll help build a plan to make sure you always can. We're here to help protect the life you've built. Amika, empathy is our best policy. Visit Amika.com and get a quote today. You know what? It sucks to be bored. But when I get on my phone and play real Casino games on SpinQuest.com, the time flies by.

18:36That two-hour wait at the DMV seems like 10 minutes. Play your favorite spots. Live Black Check, live preps with a live dealer. New players, $30 coin packs are on sale for $10 bucks. Play SpinQuest.com and you'll never be bored again. SpinQuest is a free to play social casino. Boydware prohibited. Visit SpinQuest.com for more details.