Close Encounters Of the Third Kind

Some time back, driving in an open Jeep one misty morning along a lonely stretch of road through the South Indian wildlife preserve of Bandipur, we came upon a group of about a dozen or so elephants that were blocking our way. Nothing to do but to stop the car and wait till they moved on. Slowly, they approached us and surrounded our vehicle. They were simply curious and not at all in a hurry.

We must have been there for the better part of an hour, watching them at close quarters - silent, living cathedrals in gray motif. They were watching us as well. I wondered what they thought of us - puny creatures, hauling stuff with mechanically assisted limbs. Their eyes were kind and betrayed no trace of judgment or impatience and, thus, we were compelled to surrender ours.

They moved about like a silent gathering of clouds. There were little ones which they were careful to keep on a short leash.

We too were silent; somewhat akin to awestruck. I can’t say we ever felt threatened - as in a dream - even though hostage-like. We submitted to the time-out we were granted by their impenetrable presence. All the while, the sun steadily rose and the mist lifted. At last they all seemed to agree to go on back into the jungle, leaving us free to continue with the distinct impression of having just had a religious experience.