Faithful Elephants

A zookeeper at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo tells a story about a long time ago when Japan was at war. Bombs were dropped on Tokyo day and night, like falling rain. Some people worried about what might happen if bombs hit the city's zoo. "If the cages were broken and dangerous animals escaped to run wild through the city, it would be terrible!" Therefore, by command of the army, the animals were to be killed.

The zookeeper sadly continues his tale of John, Tonky, and Wanly, and of their keepers, who wept and who prayed that the war would end so that their beloved elephants might be saved.

A true story.