Read Online Ralph Helfer by Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived - Free Book Online
Book: Ralph Helfer by Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived
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Tags: General, Juvenile Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Performing Arts, Animals, Human-animal relationships, Essay/s, Nature, Circus Animals, Circus, Elephants, Mammals, Modoc (Elephant), Wildlife
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the grass grew through patches of snow and allowed Mo’s big feet some traction.
It was early Saturday morning and all were still sleeping. Mo found some frozen grass peeking from under a little snow, and she ripped it up, smacking it against her leg to remove the ice. The rattle of tire chains broke the stillness as a small truck traveled down the roadway, heading straight for them. Bram’s heart skipped a beat. It was the mail truck. Why now? This wasn’t mail time. It usually wasn’t delivered until after two.
Bram saw a sign on the truck that read SPECIAL DELIVERY. The postman carefully slowed the vehicle to a stop on the icy road so the wheels wouldn’t skid. He stuck his head out the window.
“I have a letter for Herr Gunterstein.”
“Right here,” Bram said. “I’ll take it.”
To the postman’s surprise, the letter was handed up by Modoc’s trunk, signed for by Bram, and the receipt was returned to the postman.
Bram put the letter down between Mo’s shoulder bones, studying it for some time, wondering at its contents. It’s during these times, he mused, we try to change what we believe is about to happen. Bram used his imagination to alter what he thought was in the letter. It was to no avail. Down deep, he knew what it said. A tearing feeling cut through his stomach: Modoc. Slowly turning the envelope around, he sought the name of the writer. It was from Herr Gobel to Herr Josef Gunterstein. A cool breeze from the north made Modoc shiver. Bram felt the vibrations coursing through her body, causing a shiver in him as though they were one. He slid the letter inside his shirt.
“Let’s go home, Mo.”
Josef sat in the living room, in his favorite chair. The room was dark except for the single light shining from within a worn brown paper lampshade. Katrina sat on the floor at his side. Curpo and Bram sat cross-legged on the floor across the room, backs against the wall. Slipping on his reading glasses, Josef read the letter aloud. His voice resounded, echoing monotonously.
Dear Herr Gunterstein:
Due to my poor health, the strain of operating the circus has become too much. My doctor has advised me to leave for a warmer climate. Therefore, I wish to inform you that I will be selling the circus.
Thank you for your years of faithfulness and dedication. Please see that all your personal belongings are removed from the circus location by this same day, next month, as all animals, equipment and vehicles are being offered for sale immediately.
Sincerely ,
Franz Gobel
Josef settled deeply back into the shaded recesses of his chair. The letter dropped from his hand to the floor as Katrina pressed the back of his hand against her wet cheek. Bram nodded to Curpo and they left quietly.
It seemed an aura of death was present. A man’s hopes had just died.
8
T RUCKS, SKIPLOADERS, AND ROUSTABOUTS were busy moving circus equipment and paraphernalia off the Gunterstein farm. When the big elephant truck drove up to load Modoc, Bram was there. No one knew he had cried most of the night. His father, sensing Bram’s grief, had come and sat on the bed beside Bram.
“Son, I know you are feeling many things because Modoc is leaving. It is difficult to let go of something that you love so much.”
Bram looked at his father. He seemed old, but there was a wisdom in his voice that Bram had not heard before.
“Papa, I will miss her so much. I don’t know what I will do without her. We’ve always been together—always, and now…” His voice trailed off. His eyes began to fill.
“Bram,” his father said, placing a hand on his shoulder, “You and I know there is a connection to all living things. It is the connection of life that holds us together. That living bond is sostrong it can never be broken.” Josef smiled at his son. “Modoc does not have to be next to you to feel close. When you are asleep in this room, she is elsewhere, yet your closeness has not dimmed. It is not distance that separates,
It was early Saturday morning and all were still sleeping. Mo found some frozen grass peeking from under a little snow, and she ripped it up, smacking it against her leg to remove the ice. The rattle of tire chains broke the stillness as a small truck traveled down the roadway, heading straight for them. Bram’s heart skipped a beat. It was the mail truck. Why now? This wasn’t mail time. It usually wasn’t delivered until after two.
Bram saw a sign on the truck that read SPECIAL DELIVERY. The postman carefully slowed the vehicle to a stop on the icy road so the wheels wouldn’t skid. He stuck his head out the window.
“I have a letter for Herr Gunterstein.”
“Right here,” Bram said. “I’ll take it.”
To the postman’s surprise, the letter was handed up by Modoc’s trunk, signed for by Bram, and the receipt was returned to the postman.
Bram put the letter down between Mo’s shoulder bones, studying it for some time, wondering at its contents. It’s during these times, he mused, we try to change what we believe is about to happen. Bram used his imagination to alter what he thought was in the letter. It was to no avail. Down deep, he knew what it said. A tearing feeling cut through his stomach: Modoc. Slowly turning the envelope around, he sought the name of the writer. It was from Herr Gobel to Herr Josef Gunterstein. A cool breeze from the north made Modoc shiver. Bram felt the vibrations coursing through her body, causing a shiver in him as though they were one. He slid the letter inside his shirt.
“Let’s go home, Mo.”
Josef sat in the living room, in his favorite chair. The room was dark except for the single light shining from within a worn brown paper lampshade. Katrina sat on the floor at his side. Curpo and Bram sat cross-legged on the floor across the room, backs against the wall. Slipping on his reading glasses, Josef read the letter aloud. His voice resounded, echoing monotonously.
Dear Herr Gunterstein:
Due to my poor health, the strain of operating the circus has become too much. My doctor has advised me to leave for a warmer climate. Therefore, I wish to inform you that I will be selling the circus.
Thank you for your years of faithfulness and dedication. Please see that all your personal belongings are removed from the circus location by this same day, next month, as all animals, equipment and vehicles are being offered for sale immediately.
Sincerely ,
Franz Gobel
Josef settled deeply back into the shaded recesses of his chair. The letter dropped from his hand to the floor as Katrina pressed the back of his hand against her wet cheek. Bram nodded to Curpo and they left quietly.
It seemed an aura of death was present. A man’s hopes had just died.
8
T RUCKS, SKIPLOADERS, AND ROUSTABOUTS were busy moving circus equipment and paraphernalia off the Gunterstein farm. When the big elephant truck drove up to load Modoc, Bram was there. No one knew he had cried most of the night. His father, sensing Bram’s grief, had come and sat on the bed beside Bram.
“Son, I know you are feeling many things because Modoc is leaving. It is difficult to let go of something that you love so much.”
Bram looked at his father. He seemed old, but there was a wisdom in his voice that Bram had not heard before.
“Papa, I will miss her so much. I don’t know what I will do without her. We’ve always been together—always, and now…” His voice trailed off. His eyes began to fill.
“Bram,” his father said, placing a hand on his shoulder, “You and I know there is a connection to all living things. It is the connection of life that holds us together. That living bond is sostrong it can never be broken.” Josef smiled at his son. “Modoc does not have to be next to you to feel close. When you are asleep in this room, she is elsewhere, yet your closeness has not dimmed. It is not distance that separates,
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