How did the Elephants know?!
Yes - a wonderful story. Thank you, Jeanette. Lawrence Anthony seems young to leave this world. . . but he did a lot with his 62 years. I guess I say "seems young" because I am increasingly in awe of contributions from those in their late sixties - seventies -eighties - nineties. Somehow there is special sweetness in loving choices made as energy fades. Janice Ulangca ----- Original Message ----- From: Suemi Clark To: Colleague Dialogue Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 9:51 PM Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Fwd: Elephant Whisperer Dear Jeanette, Thank you very much for the wonderful stroy of the Elephants. Hope you are well. Suemi
From Maine
From: Jeanette Stanfield <jstanfield@ica-associates.ca> To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 12:13 PM Subject: [Dialogue] Fwd: Elephant Whisperer Dear ones, This story was shared with me and I wanted to share it with you. How amazing our universe and all the creatures in it are. Jeanette HOW DID THEY KNOW? THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE THAT IS MUCH GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE. THE ELEPHANT'S JOURNEY TO PAY RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW? Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller, The Elephant Whisperer, bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003. On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died. He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons and numerous elephants. Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved man-friend. A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African House. Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence’s passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way: Walking slowly - for days - Making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house. So, how after Anthony’s death, did the reserve’s elephants — grazing miles away in distant parts of the park — know? “A good man died suddenly,” says Rabbi Leila Gal Berner, Ph.D., “and from miles and miles away, two herds of elephants, sensing that they had lost a beloved human friend, moved in a solemn, almost ‘funereal’ procession to make a call on the bereaved family at the deceased man’s home.” “If there ever were a time, when we can truly sense the wondrous ‘interconnectedness of all beings,’ it is when we reflect on the elephants of Thula Thula. A man’s heart’s stops and hundreds of elephants’ hearts are grieving. This man’s oh-so-abundantly loving heart offered healing to these elephants, and now, they came to pay loving homage to their friend.” Lawrence's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years! But yet they knew where they were going. The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects honouring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything. Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back. _______________________________________________Dialogue mailing listDialogue@lists.wedgeblade.nethttp://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
not to take away from the wonderful work that he did with/for elephants, nor to cast aspersions on the amazing intelligence of elephants, but I'm very skeptical about the authenticity of this story. If you compare the version which was originally sent to Snopes.com (urban legends investigation web site) in April 2012, you will see several "tweaks" (embellishments) to the story as it was sent to us. But, then again, if the "story" saves a few elephants, our world will be richer for it!
Hmm, maybe a few tweaks, but overall the story is actually true. Maybe not as heartstring pulling, but still pretty incredible. Tracy E. Longacre from Yaoundé, Cameroon just another child of God Blog: http://tlongacre.wordpress.com Run Blog: http://revruns.blogspot.com Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tlongacre/ ———-O0ooo— ———–(——)— ————)–-/—- ————(_/- —-ooo0O—- —-(——)—- —–\-–(– ——\_)- On 31 Jan 2013, at 15:58, Geri Tolman <gdtolman@comcast.net> wrote:
not to take away from the wonderful work that he did with/for elephants, nor to cast aspersions on the amazing intelligence of elephants, but I'm very skeptical about the authenticity of this story.
If you compare the version which was originally sent to Snopes.com (urban legends investigation web site) in April 2012, you will see several "tweaks" (embellishments) to the story as it was sent to us.
But, then again, if the "story" saves a few elephants, our world will be richer for it!
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Remember the wisdom of John Knox in The Event and the Story? A story is true if (1) it did happen, (2) it could have happened or (3) it conveys some deeper truth. (I'm paraphrasing this from my memory of what Knox said, so it may not be what he "really" said, but he could have.) Randy While there may be no "right" way to value a forest, a river, or a child, the wrong way is to give it no value at all. -Paul Hawken ________________________________ From: Tracy Longacre <tel@telphoto.com> To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 9:03 AM Subject: Re: [Dialogue] How did the Elephants know?! Hmm, maybe a few tweaks, but overall the story is actually true. Maybe not as heartstring pulling, but still pretty incredible. Tracy E. Longacre from Yaoundé, Cameroon just another child of God Blog: http://tlongacre.wordpress.com Run Blog: http://revruns.blogspot.com/ Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tlongacre/ ———-O0ooo— ———–(——)— ————)–-/—- ————(_/- —-ooo0O—- —-(——)—- —–\-–(– ——\_)- On 31 Jan 2013, at 15:58, Geri Tolman <gdtolman@comcast.net> wrote: not to take away from the wonderful work that he did with/for elephants, nor to cast aspersions on the amazing intelligence of elephants, but I'm very skeptical about the authenticity of this story.
If you compare the version which was originally sent to Snopes.com (urban legends investigation web site) in April 2012, you will see several "tweaks" (embellishments) to the story as it was sent to us. But, then again, if the "story" saves a few elephants, our world will be richer for it!
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participants (4)
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Geri Tolman -
Janice Ulangca -
R Williams -
Tracy Longacre