An elephant in the forest had just lost its baby. The mother elephant wanted to give a hearty send off to its child. She surrounded the baby elephant's body with some wild flowers which was a code in the jungle to not disturb the animal which lied there lifeless. (Animals are better rule followers I believe! They understand a NO better than humans). She went into the forest to collect some fruits, herbs and bamboo for his send off.
Meanwhile, Goddess Paarvati had just lost her child too, in her own house. She held the child's headless body and cried loudly. She thought to herself that she will never forgive her husband, Lord Shiva for this. Shiva then ordered his people to go into the forest and bring the head of the first animal they encountered. Had Paarvati heard this, she would not have let this worst of ideas happen. She was soaked in her child's blood and weeping.
Shiva's tribe saw the dead baby elephant lying around those wild flowers. They cut its head without a second thought and got it to Shiva. Paarvati saw them approaching and yelled at everybody. She was burning with anger and called Shiva a senseless man to have done this. She asked them all if they didn't think that there would be another mother like her grieving in the forest? They were tight lipped. Even the mighty Shiva had nothing to say.
She asked everyone to follow her into the wild from where the baby elephant's head was brought. She lifted her dead son's headless body and placed it on her shoulder. She had his severed head in one hand and walked. They all arrived at the spot and saw the grieving mama elephant. Paarvati ran to her and hugged her. She then placed both the lifeless bodies next to each other. She explained to the mama elephant about what all had happened. The mama elephant was not very comfortable in the company of humans because of her traumatic past and now this! She however felt a wee bit comfortable with Paarvati. She then said, "I wanted to give my baby a memorable send off and all you humans have made it happen in an unforgettable way. We have always had to be in the mercy of you all. So be it this time too. I am extremely exhausted. But this time, let me be the greater soul to the world - Transparently. My perspective needs to be heard and seen (She asks one of them to switch on FB Live!). Let my baby live through yours Paarvati. My baby's head has his heart too in it. He will be a compassionate and extremely intelligent one along with your child's bravery."
The whole of Shiva's tribe and Shiva stood dumbfounded seeing all of this unfold. The mama elephant then placed her baby's head over the lifeless body of Paarvati's son. We know who was born!
Mama elephant requested that she name him. He was named "Muddhu". (Readers, feel free to give a name you would like to)
She then placed the boy's head over her child's body. Two little children sprang up who looked so unique! The mothers hugged their children who had taken this new birth.
Paarvati named the child with an elephant body and human head as "Kannu". (Readers, feel free to give a name you would like to)
The mothers decided to meet often and involve themselves in play dates!
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Inspiration :
Yuki Elias' "Elephant in the room" - I watched this masterpiece in 2018 at Shoonya, Bangalore - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmL9DXe0C0o
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