“It’s raining, it’s pouring
The old man is snoring
He went to bed and he bumped his head
And couldn’t get up in the morning”

Now wait, go back and read the words to that rhyme. Yes that’s right it is raining outside, an old man assumedly alone at home bumps his head and can’t get up [which I suppose means he is dead or mortally wounded]. Yesterday it rained and by rained I mean poured, I don’t mean metaphorically, I tried to drive and the water went over the hood of my car.  So I turned around and stayed inside. Iris and Wishbone were laying on top of me, terrified of the thunder and pounding rain; while Humphrey sat on the window ledge watching the rain pour.

This is when Humphrey told us the story of the Elephant and the Rain, which was a story passed down from generation to generation of the great Elephant family.

Once upon a time, there were two great powers on Earth: Elephant and the Rain Spirit.  Now Elephant, as you know was proud and boastful and was always always arguing with Rain, for you see Elephant was convinced he was greater than Rain- and he wanted Rain to agree.  One day they were arguing [as usual], when the Rain Spirit said in his deep, wet, gurgling voice, “How can you elephant be a greater power than I, when it is I who nourishes you?”

Elephant was far too proud to admit that Rain was right. Indeed, he didn’t even think [not even a little] before replying, “You don’t feed me!” He stomped on the ground to enunciated each word, “I find food for myself, I am my own master in all things!”

Rain, angry in earnest this time, turned gray and thunderous, and said, “If I go away will you not DIE?” and with that he vanished.  Once Rain departed, Elephant laughed loudly to himself and said, “HA! Now I may rule alone, Rain was cowardly and ran away!” [Sometimes, Humphrey added some Elephants are not so smart, although he did remind us he himself was very wise]

For many months Elephant lorded over the plains and the forest, and life continued normally.  In fact it was peaceful without the constant loud quarrels of Rain and Elephant. Then, the time of year for the Rains arrived. Every animal was looking forward to the flush of green grass, and clean flowing rivers once again. But of course Rain had gone away.  The skies remained hot and bright and blue, not even one cloud was seen for weeks! The animals became worried, because their newborns were starving!

In great distress they went to find Elephant, for he had he not said he was their Lord? Elephant looked a bit uncomfortable, but he replied to their demands saying, “I will call Vulture the most potent of all the Rainmakers.”

Elephant then called Vulture and commanded him to cast lots and make rain. But Vulture was Rain’s servant, and he knew of their quarrels. He excused himself, explaining to the Elephant that he was too afraid of the Great Elephant to try- for what if he failed!

Elephant then summoned Crow, the wisest of all the Birds, and commanded her to cast lots and make Rain. This she did, and some rain fell- enough to fill a few pans, but soon they all dried up except on the deepest. Elephant claimed this last waterhole for himself, and commanded the Tortoise to guard it for him while he was away feeding for the day [food was becoming rather difficult to find].  So Tortoise settled down to guard the pan.

Soon, a herd of giraffe came down to drink and asked Tortoise for water, for they had searched all day and found none.  But Tortoise had to refuse, saying the pan was the property of Lord Elephant. Zebras, wildebeest, and many other animals were all in turn refused a drink. They moved off into the distance, whispering among themselves, wondering what was to become of them!

In the evening, Lion came down to drink and as before Tortoise told him he could not as the pan belonged to Elephant. But Lion was not impressed, he simply cuffed Tortoise out of his way and drank his fill. Poor Tortoise was helpless as the other animals desperately thirsty took advantage and followed Lion’s example. They crowded around the pan and drank their fill.