MOUNTING AN ELEPHANT

                            Elephants are essential elements in traditional festivals of India. They are decorated with gold-plated caparisons and displayed with dignity in colourful processions. During such a festival, one of the organizers of the festival wanted to climb upon an elegant elephant as it was his long-cherished dream. The man was old and stout and was afraid of the exercise. With the expert advice and assistance of the mahout, and a lot of personal effort, he managed to climb to the top of the elephant. But unfortunately, as he reached the top with much fear and difficulty, he got seated with his face facing the tail-end of the elephant. Noting his awkward position, his aides shouted from the ground, "Sir, please turn yourself to face the front side of the elephant!" But the scared dignitary could not move a bit. He sat still, holding the animal with all his might. He told his well-wishers, "I will sit as I please. If you want a change, you may turn the elephant to face my front."

                         Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), one of the greatest composers and musicians in human history, was born in Bonn in Germany. He was proficient in playing a variety of musical instruments. He could mesmerize millions by his melodious music, crowning compositions and outstanding performance. Once, while playing his musical instruments he noticed that they did not produce any sound. He thought that the instruments had developed some trouble and decided to repair them. Later he could realize that the problem was not with his instruments but with his own ears, which became deaf suddenly. He continued to create excellent compositions ignoring his deafness.

                        It is human nature to assume that disorders are caused by the faults of  the society and the people around us. But often it is the discord within a person that causes disorder in his social life. The first step in correcting the society is correcting ourselves. We can initiate social change only by changing ourselves.

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© By Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

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