My wife is fascinated by elephants. Always has been. She collects them. Not real ones but statuary and curios of all types. She has as many shelves with Elephants on them as I do soldiers (though I have a lot more soldiers). It makes a marvelously fine gift for her for Birthday, Christmas, anniversary and just for nice souveniers on a trip.
My wargames however have been restrained by her love of them.
In my ancient rules Elephants are NOT allowed to be killed. In combat, what passes for killed in other rules is translated as "they are allowed, when they are tired of this whole silly business, to slowly, majestically, at their own chosen pace, walk off the field and take their ease with other elephants. She proof-reads my rules, and no matter what I write that is what winds up.
Magnificent animals.
Every year we have the Sussex County Farm and Horse show at the county fair grounds. This is held in August of each year. There is a large artificial pond on the grounds and each year "Bueleah" the elephant from the side show that gives the kiddies elephant and camel rides, takes a bath and cavorts in the pond before the start of the show and each day. It forms an event almost as popular as the show itself, as the newspaper always covers it and dozens of families come up to watch.
The children, to say the least, are awestruck.
My wife could sit and watch Buleah take the kids on rides for hours. I must admit I find it fascinating too. She's not a huge elephant, but she is pretty big, and she walks with a grace and a style that is both hypnotic, restful and somehow soothing.
She also seems remarkably good natured about it all. My wife can watch her for almost an hour.
I remember one time I saw a fantastic thing. She was standing there watching and Buelah sidled over a little, just a foot or so and craned her head slightly, as if she wanted Dot to pet her. Dot did, Buleah was satisfied.
Dot has never gone on an elephant ride and never will. She feels it would be disrespectful of the elephant. She doesn't mind the kids doing it-- after all kids are kids-- but for her-- no.
They are remarkable intelligent and likeable creatures, and fascinating in all their grace and folly.
I totally agree with my wife's rewritings of the rules.
No one wants to ride the camel.
