The Elephant and the Wind

14 The Elephant and the Wind There once lived a beautiful white elephant, and everyone in the land sought her out just to have a look. The news travelled all over the land and eventually reached the king. The king wished to have this elephant for himself, so he sent his men deep into the forest to find her. After many months, the king's men discovered where she lived, put her in chains and led her back to the king. The king wanted to make the elephant obey. He ordered his trainers to make her tame. But, try as they might, the elephant could not be trained. Maybe she could not understand the language. Perhaps she was stubborn. But this only angered the trainers. They beat her and pierced her until her skin was black and blue and purple and red from the beatings. The elephant rose up one day and broke her chains. She charged through the palace, frightening everyone. She then broke through the gates and made her way deep into the forest. She travelled for months, fearing the king's men might recapture her. But they gave up their pursuit, and returned to the palace.

The elephant could not make the memory of her abuse go away. Every time the wind blew in the trees, she became frightened, causing her to run, bumping into trees and branches and rocks. She became black and blue and red again from all of the running in fear. Then one day, the wind blew again and she started running as usual. After running for many hours in fear, the elephant came to rest against a special tree in which the Buddha lived. The Buddha could feel her great fear. He said to her, " The wind moves the clouds in the sky but it is not your enemy. Do not be afraid of the wind, for it cannot hurt you. Your fear is in your mind. Look there and you will find it. " The elephant immediately understood what he was telling her. She began to breathe easily and she never lived in fear again.