The Elephant Keeper

The Elephant Keeper

Juvenile nonfiction
"He wasn't nearly as strong as his father had been before his
illness, but Aaron worked hard. He carried bundles of reeds and
learned to thatch roofs. He hauled lumber, handed nails to the
carpenter and sharpened the ax. He hauled water from the wells and
did other hot jobs, such as burning debris and raking leaves."
When his father became too sick to work, Aaron, still a boy,
took over his job at a lodge. One day he arrived at work to see an
unusual sight. A baby elephant was in the lodge's pool, frantically
struggling. He was no fan of elephants. They ate his people's
crops. But he plunged (literally) right in to save its life.
Visiting the orphaned elephant, Zambezi, at an elephant
orphanage was a life changing experience for Aaron. He was able to
feed Zambezi, something the keepers had been unable to achieve. He
was invited to work at the orphanage. He'd have to live there,
sleeping with the elephants and only seeing his family on visits.
Can you imagine leading a life like that while still a child?
There really is an elephant named Zambezi who was rescued from a
pool and has been rehabilitated and released into the wild. The real
life Aaron is now an elephant keeper team leader.
Margriet Ruurs' The Elephant Keeper: Caring for Orphaned
Elephants in Zambia gives readers an up close and personal look at
those intelligent animals and the dangers they face, the humans who
rescue them when they are in danger, and the caring relationships that
can develop between human and beast.
On a personal note, yesterday at UMaine we did Tunnel Of Oppression.
It's an amazing activity to help bust stereotypes by which different
people are judged. Like all black people hate white people. Tour
guides took groups through a series of rooms where they saw
scenarios. I was in the mental health scenario. I played the part of
a college student whose roommate was concerned about me because of
something I'd written. I argued with her and flew off the handle when
she suggested I get help. I played that part 8 times and owned it. I
was proud to be part of such an important educational opportunity.
Plus I really miss acting which I gave up almost 3 years ago because
it took too much time from volunteering with students.
A great big shout out goes out to all who participated, especially
those who undertook the massive task of organizing it.
jules hathaway


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