An elephant, a bird, and an offer

A look back (first published 14 February 2015)

The Phraser

Carved elephant An irresistible elephant

I wasn’t looking for any of the above but somehow they found me.  That’s what Naples does.

My elephant – she’s now mine – spent days for sale on the steep, wintery steps outside the huge post office near the city centre.

I passed her twice a week en route to class.  It was hard to miss her.  My head was full of elephants and there she was, big and awkward in amongst the trinkets and faded pictures.

Then yesterday, on an impulse, I roped together my Italian and my courage, and paused.

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An elephant, a bird, and an offer

Carved elephant

An irresistible elephant

I wasn’t looking for any of the above but somehow they found me.  That’s what Naples does.

My elephant – she’s now mine – spent days for sale on the steep, wintery steps outside the huge post office near the city centre.

I passed her twice a week en route to class.  It was hard to miss her.  My head was full of elephants and there she was, big and awkward in amongst the trinkets and faded pictures.

Then yesterday, on an impulse, I roped together my Italian and my courage, and paused.

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Zimbabwe’s young elephants await ‘dispatch’

Elephant calf at peace

“And foe to none, suspects no enemies, …”

Zimbabwe does not hide the fact that it has young elephants in captivity awaiting export – 27 of them between the ages of three and five.  All in this particular group are due to be flown to China.

The official reason given for the sale is that it will raise money for the country’s National Parks.  There are many who doubt that the money paid will ever benefit Zimbabwe’s wildlife.

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