We had just entered a temple, gazing at the sun bleached structures in the courtyard - we'd slipped off our worn shoes - our feet were bare and white - we stood listening to women chanting verses, the same sacred names, again and again, evoking the divine -
It was a season of festivals - brave golden tinsel decorated the streets - a young woman with a shy dazzling smile greeted us - she was a student of homeopathic medicine - she took us round the temple - we made a donation to the sinewy custodians -
Men blew trumpets - a man with his brawny torso dusted with blue powder came forward - he lifted up a terracotta pot, placing it upon his head - the glossy leaves of the plant in the pot formed a strange crown as he danced measured steps -
We then saw an elephant, grave and calm, striding past the temple precincts -
Our new friend turned towards us, laughing, her dark eyes fixed upon our pale blue eyes -
You must see the elephant - he is coming home for his lunch - he lives near my house -
We followed the slim figure, draped in brilliant fabrics, to her father's house - we drank black tea - we saw a display of her sporting medals and academic awards -
Then we approached the elephant - I felt the power of his mysterious gaze - I could not bring myself, despite encouragement, to touch his trunk - to do so, I thought, would be an act of insolent presumption -
It was a season of festivals - brave golden tinsel decorated the streets - a young woman with a shy dazzling smile greeted us - she was a student of homeopathic medicine - she took us round the temple - we made a donation to the sinewy custodians -
Men blew trumpets - a man with his brawny torso dusted with blue powder came forward - he lifted up a terracotta pot, placing it upon his head - the glossy leaves of the plant in the pot formed a strange crown as he danced measured steps -
We then saw an elephant, grave and calm, striding past the temple precincts -
Our new friend turned towards us, laughing, her dark eyes fixed upon our pale blue eyes -
You must see the elephant - he is coming home for his lunch - he lives near my house -
We followed the slim figure, draped in brilliant fabrics, to her father's house - we drank black tea - we saw a display of her sporting medals and academic awards -
Then we approached the elephant - I felt the power of his mysterious gaze - I could not bring myself, despite encouragement, to touch his trunk - to do so, I thought, would be an act of insolent presumption -
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