Chapter Title: Bringing up Kari

Summary:

Introduction:

• The story revolves around a young elephant named Kari, who is raised by a nine-year-old boy.
• Kari is depicted as a playful and sensitive elephant, forming a close bond with his human companion.

Description of Kari’s Life:

1. Early Days with Kari:

   • Kari was given to the narrator at the age of five months.
   • The narrator, being nine years old, grew up with Kari, and they developed a strong bond.
   • Kari lived in a pavilion with a thatched roof supported by thick tree stumps to prevent it from collapsing when Kari moved around.

2. Kari’s Routine:

   • Kari required about forty pounds of twigs daily for chewing and playing.
   • The narrator would take Kari to the river every morning for a bath, rubbing him with sand and then allowing him to lie in the water.
   • After the bath, the narrator would lead Kari to the jungle to gather twigs for his meals, which required skill and effort to find the most delicate and tender ones.

Kari’s Heroic Act:

• Kari once saved a drowning boy, showcasing his sensitivity and intelligence.
• Hearing Kari’s distress call, the narrator rushed to find him struggling in the river, and Kari, upon seeing him, trumpeted and struggled to bring both the narrator and the drowning boy to safety.

Kari’s Affinity for Bananas:

• Kari developed a fondness for ripe bananas, sneaking into the dining room to eat them.
• Initially blamed for the disappearance of the fruit, the true culprit was revealed when the narrator found Kari eating bananas in his pavilion.
• The narrator scolded Kari, who understood the reprimand and never stole fruit again.

Training Kari:

1. Learning Commands:

   • Kari learned commands such as “Dhat” to sit down and “Mali” to walk.
   • It took him three weeks to learn to sit down but only three lessons to learn to walk.

2. Master Call:

   • The most difficult command for Kari to learn was the master call, which took five years.
   • The master call, a strange hissing sound, was used to signal Kari to clear a path through the jungle by pulling down trees.

Explanation of the Text:

• The text portrays the special bond between a young boy and an elephant named Kari.
• It describes Kari’s daily routine, including his bath in the river and the effort required to gather twigs for his meals.
• Kari’s heroic act of saving a drowning boy demonstrates his sensitivity and intelligence.
• The story also illustrates Kari’s mischievous behavior, particularly his fondness for ripe bananas.
• The process of training Kari, including learning commands and the challenging master call, is depicted, highlighting the intelligence and capability of elephants.
• The text concludes with a reflection on the unique relationship between humans and elephants, emphasizing mutual respect and understanding.