Elephant and my Red Car

- Keith Miller

"Once I went to a zoo in my red Volkswagen car. As usual, I spent lot of time there, especially enjoying the elephants. But, as I came back to my car, ready to leave, I saw that one big elephant had sat on the bonnet of my car. By mistake, of course. The front end of the car was totally mangled. The Zoo Manager came running and apologised profusely.

'What to do ? This elephant is like this. Peculiar. If it sees a red car, it insists on sitting on the bonnet. Anyway, we have an insurance policy for such damages to vehicles in our zoo. So, please let us know the charges for repairing your car. We will send you a cheque immediately', he said.

Fortunately, the engine of our car was in the rear. So, I just nodded and left the zoo. As I was driving back home, I saw a big accident in the road. I crossed that place and within fifteen minutes, a police car came screeching past my car. A police man came out and asked me to get out.

"Don't you think it is an offence to run away, after colliding with another vehicle ?"

"My goodness ! When did I collide with a car ?"

"Really ?! Then, what is this ?" He was pointing out at the mangled front end of my car.

"Oh, that one ?", I became easy. Weakly smiling, I said, "The elephant in the zoo sat on my car. That is how it became like this."

The policeman laughed. "Oh, I see. Elephant on your car, eh ?" Then, he said, strictly, "Come to the station with me right away !"

Moral of the Story :

Don't write True Stories. No one will believe them. Just try to write stories that sound like true.

[ From the Introduction to a Tamil Short Story collection - Kaalachuvadu Pathipagam]