the pranks we played! I was always fond of freedom, in fact
I loved it beyond anything, and it was this that first led me into
misfortune.

I disobeyed my good old mother, by going beyond the bounds appointed,
and through this I was brought into captivity. An elephant-hunter caught
me, almost before I knew where I was, and then, good-bye to freedom!

I was shipped on board a huge vessel. What a voyage it was to be sure! I
trumpeted for hours in misery. Once I felt certain I was going to the
bottom, but my fears were unfounded, for we reached England in perfect
safety, none the worse for our stormy experiences. Shortly after
landing, I was dispatched to my new home.

I should not have minded so much if I had been sent to the Zoo, for I
hear some of the elephants there have fine times and are treated like
royalty. But I was bought by a circus company. Fancy, taking _me_ to a
common thing like a circus! At first I moped; who would not, under such
trying circumstances? By degrees, however, I got used to my
surroundings, and learned to do all sorts of clever things. I was young
and teachable, so they said. I could stand on a tub, sit at a table and
dine, ring the bell for the waiter to come and clear away, after which I
would eat my dessert with the air of a gentleman.

In fact, I was 'The Children's Delight,' 'The Elephant Extraordinary,'
and 'The Marvel of the World.' That is what they said on the
circus-bills! I used to feel proud, at times, of all the praise which
was bestowed upon me, and gave myself airs. You see, it is not everybody
who is 'The Marvel of the World.'

However, praise alone did not satisfy me for very long. Freedom was what
I wanted, and one day, to my delight, freedom was what I managed to get.

And didn't I enjoy myself!

Never mind how I accomplished it; let me say simply that I eluded my
keeper and got into a sort of forest (I suppose it was a country wood),
and there I stayed all night, laughing in my trunk to think what a panic
the circus company would be in. If only I could have made my way to some
seaport town, and have been shipped off home again, I would gladly have
endured the roughest voyage to be once more in my own dear native land.

Towards morning I got weary of my loneliness, and hungry too, I must
admit. Feeling a bit more courageous than when I first escaped, I
decided to take a walk, and I found my way into an adjoining town. Here
it was, alas! that I came to grief.

I met