Country residence no. 10 - Sri Lanka. I live in Pelawatte Junction, Battaramulla, my little Serendib. Well, a lot of things happen here, serendipitous things. Like the first time I travelled further out of Pelawatte Junction, well, the tuktuk or trishaw made its turns and more turns and voila! Elephants on the go!It was like they were walking with a purpose. There was a bounce to their movements, the way they picked up their big feet. But it was sad to see heavy chains around their necks. One young male had shackled hind legs. The tuktuk driver told me that he was "the naughty one". A bit more tuktuk bashing and my husband, our daughter and I got to a street corner, and more elephants. Wow! To think that I had been dreaming of seeing these lovely animals - even thought of going to Dehiwala Zoo or to Viharamahadevi Park. I had tons of them in Africa, but seeing them there, especially unexpectedly, was one whopping happy chance encounter.
There were fruit stalls on both sides of the street. I couldn't remember the name, still difficult for me, long Sri Lankan names. People were standing by the road, ripe, sweet-smelling fruits on the ready. Okay, I then understood why the elephants were hurrying on their way, mahouts making giant steps with their small feet and short legs, just to keep up with their animals.
A total of eight elephants were on that corner. The animals broke into two lines, to accept the offerings coming from both sides. People were excitedly handing out fruits, fruit after fruit, that the elephants accepted using their trunks. There were golden yellow papayas, red-fleshed watermelons, yellow and green bunches of bananas, light-green guavas. I saw the happy expressions on the faces of the elephants and the fruit stall owners.It was like bonds had been created, and that the elephants knew that generous souls would be standing along this route,waiting for them, fruits in their hands.
