Ficlets

Oh, The Elephants Know

None of the elephants trust me. I don’t know why. I’m a nice enough guy, but they have some sense that goes beyond that. They know where to hide, where to die, and where to go to play the drums or paint their pictures and all of those places seem to be away from me.

I volunteered for the elephants. So it hurts to see them steer clear of me. They like Jackie, but when I come in they all drift to the other side of the pen.

Jackie says I’m overreacting, but I swear Howard’s painting is of me—a small, featureless spot on the canvas, a gap in the Pollock-like sprays and smears of color. When I confront Howard, hold the canvas up in from of him, he coils his trunk like a hose and backs away, staring at me out of the corner of his eye.

He and the other elephants stand in a clique, touching their trunks together, part sign language and part braille. They glance over at me, past their ears, like they don’t want to get caught.

The old one senses something about me that I can’t. He flicks his trunk. The others nod.

Comments

Average Reader Rating:

Oh, The Elephants Know
Seth Miller
Posted 3 months ago

This makes me feel comforted that I’m not the only one who feels judged and uncomfortable around intelligent wild animals. You’ve really made the narrator seem less logical and human than the elements.

I really dug the bit about sign language and braille.

You can see why those Elephants don’t like him, and I’m assuming they don’t.
Oh, The Elephants Know
Seth Miller
Posted 3 months ago

Substitute elephants for elements. Typing is apparently beyond my grasp today.

Liked it quite a bit.
Oh, The Elephants Know
Seth Miller
Posted 3 months ago

Damnit! Didn’t mean to give only one star. 4!

Pushing away from the keyboard.
Oh, The Elephants Know
Seth Miller
Posted 3 months ago

4 stars, for the love of Ficlets!
Oh, The Elephants Know
Insert Pen Name Here
Posted 3 months ago

Don’t worry, I’ll give him five, then it’ll be even :)
I really like this, elephants are very intellegent and I think I would feel the same way as the narrator if they acted that way towards me.
Oh, The Elephants Know
Eckhouse
Posted 3 months ago

The cats, on the other hand, are unanimous in their disdain for us. Nice to know the elephants are more discriminating in their tastes.
Oh, The Elephants Know
Saint Chuck
Posted 3 months ago

I like how you personified the elephants to the likeness of a typical highschool clique. Very nice.
LoA
Oh, The Elephants Know
M.Paul Regret
Posted 3 months ago

Wow artistic elephants and they shun the volunteer.. very original concept well told.
Oh, The Elephants Know
cracks in a sidewalk
Posted 2 months ago

i really like this. very creative and new
Oh, The Elephants Know
Geheim Sir Ayita
Posted 2 months ago

mmmm strange how open animals are usually to people….this is the complete opposite and its so odd. i dont get why they dont like him though….

typing skills-check

brain-ahh nup