This month we had to write a piece about a goal or a confession. I happened to be wearing my elephant T-shirt which combined with the recent Cyril the lion tragedy led to this piece of prose.
Shooting an Elephant
My cousin’s workmate wanted to shoot an elephant. He went on about it all the time. His dream was to catch a majestic bull out on the savannah, preferably in the morning when the light’s good and it’s not too hot. He booked a trip to Kenya, arranged guides to track one down and everything.
Recently I saw my cousin. “Did he shoot his elephant?” I asked.
“Yes, he got one in the national park.”
“Really!”
“Sure. It’s amazing! Have a look.”
He got out his phone and showed me a photo. A mighty creature on a vast plain against a backdrop of clear blue sky. His trunk is raised and tusks are sharp and defiant as he strides towards the camera.