With the arrival of chilly winds and a sweet jingle of bells, the San Diego Zoo was lit with lights, like every year. The shift to a lively spirit with the sweet Carols was nothing new or out of ordinary for the humans or the animals. It happened every year, and an annual thing is not bound to bring much awe or fascination in them.
However, for a 6-month-old little Adana, an African Elephant, it was a time that brought something new in her life. The Jungle Bells, being sung every evening, became her new lullaby and Jack, her new best friend. They brought an immediate smile to her face and every day she would look forward to both.
Adana didn’t know why the elder elephants didn’t like Humans.
‘Stay away from that human boy, they bring nothing but misery to all,’ Matriarch said.
But Adana couldn’t. He was the only one who talked to her. With no parents, and the few other elephants present with her separated during the day for some outdoor time, Jack was the only one who kept her company.
The elders let her be. After all, a calf born in captivity does not know what the jungles hold. The thrill, danger, fun, and freedom. For her, who never smelled the scent of a wilderness, the humans have robbed nothing. She was okay with her life and with the sweet Christmas melody. Her nights had become extra special.
Jack, a sweet boy of 14 who volunteered at the Zoo, would sit beside her during the days and explain to her the beliefs related to the festival. He thought she didn’t understand, but he continued doing so anyway. Adana came to know that Jack was an orphan, too.
Maybe that’s why he enjoyed talking to her. He felt she understood.
And that she did. Everything he talked about; Adana would relate to it. Except for the whole being a human part. That was something she didn’t get. Apart from that, she understood that sense of being a misfit amongst all. The black sheep.
And so, as the days went by, being alone never crossed her mind, and she waited for Jack to return with some sugar cubes and yet another anecdote. Every day followed the same routine- Jack spent time with her, fed her, talked to her and after he went, Adana fell asleep to the Jungle Bell Carols. But one day was different.
On 24th December, Jack arrived later than usual. He seemed flustered and almost sad. Slowly he sat beside Adana and stroked her big ears. Adana, with her trunk, took the sugar cubes that he had kept to his left.
Seeing her sneak, Jack smiled.
He said, ‘I’ll miss you.’
Upon hearing his voice, Adana looked at him as if asking, what does that mean.
He elaborated, ‘It was Christmas season, Adana. I had time to volunteer since the footfall increased at the zoo. But tomorrow is Christmas and I will no longer be able to meet you. At least not like this.’
Adana realized what he was saying. She stood up and walked towards her little pile of toys and glanced at Jack, asking him to play with her.
Jack sighed. ‘You don’t understand a single thing I say. Do you? Here I am telling you we will never meet again and all you want is to play? Alright then.’
He walked over and thought about what to play with, not understanding that Adana understood, and instead of focusing on the bad news, she would rather spend the last day with him, enjoying every moment.
As the sun descended, the carols began for the last time. But instead of the joy they usually brought to the little elephant, all they brought were tears. The carols marked the end of her friendship with Jack, and she didn’t want that to happen.
‘It is cruel,’ she thought.
Why can’t I have a friend? Why am I alone? The one time someone cared about me and understood me, they will leave. I will be alone again.
With this thought, she looked up at the night sky and stared silently.
Eventually, she noticed the carols had stopped and there was no sound to be heard. The event has ended and soon the lights will shut down.
She waited for the darkness to embrace her, but after a few minutes, she realized that today was different. The lights weren’t turned off. At first, she was confused but then remembered that, on the eve of Christmas, Santa Claus, a fat bearded old man sneaks into the houses and gifts the children everything that they wished for.
Maybe they left the lights on for him.
Does it mean that he is real? And he will bring gifts for all of us at Zoo as well?
What if I wished for Jack to stay with me? Would he grant me my wish?
With this thought, the little elephant wiped the tears with her trunk, closed her eyes, and wished,
‘Dear Santa,
If you exist and can grant me just one wish, then all I want for Christmas is Jack.’
NGirl