Faithful Elephants

“Faithful Elephants” Reading Response

9/27/13

The story “Faithful Elephants” by Yukio Tsuchiya teaches that war causes many different kinds of tragedies. The story is about a zoo in Tokyo during World War II that is forced, by the government, to kill all the dangerous animals so that they couldn't escape and stampede the city if bombs dropped on the zoo. Three elephants, John, Tonky, and Wanly, need to be starved to death, as their skin is too thick for the poison syringe. this book shows that there are more consequences associated with war than just death. Death is one kind of tragedy portrayed in the story. In this story, animals are slowly and painfully killed, but many people die in wars as well. Another tragedy in the story is that the people that survive remember horrors that they have witnessed.

War causes people and animals to die cruel and tragic deaths. The author writes, “…all of the lions, tigers, leopards, bears, and big snakes were poisoned to death.” These innocent animals would have continued living if not for the war. In the story it also says, “…Tonky and Wanly were dead. Both died leaning against the bars of their cage with their trunks stretched high in the air….” Animals are not the only ones who die in war, soldiers and civilians also die. It is unfair that these people and animals have their lives taken away like this.

Death is just one of the tragedies caused by war. Another is that the people who survive have to live with the memories of death and destruction. The author writes, “Seeing his beloved elephants die this way, the elephant trainer felt as if his heart would break.” The trainer does not die, but he is greatly affected by the elephants’ death. The zookeepers protest, “Stop the war! Stop the war! Stop all wars!” They are all so heartbroken by the elephants’ deaths. Many civilians and soldiers that are killed have families that survive. Those survivors will always remember the tragedies of war.

In conclusion, this book shows that death is not the only consequence inflicted by war. “Faithful Elephants” portrays this by describing the zookeepers’ and trainer’s emotions, not just by explaining how the elephants died. This story was very touching for this reason. Readers can see right into the trainer’s heart and feel what he is feeling. This story shows the injustices of war. This is very important because there are places being bombed right now, and people being killed, soldiers and civilians alike. This story should be read so that we don’t repeat the past and cause more suffering.