Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sindbad, part 2
Elephant family
I liked the elephants becoming wise to Sindbad, and almost wish he endured a bit more punishment (although back then I'm sure elephant populations were much better than they are now). A town meeting of the elephant elders, discussing the sniper slaughtering their tribe could make for great alternate perspective of his ambush.
Elephant family, photographed by Nick Brandt.
The true curiosity of this story lies in the enormous generosity in allowing Sindbad not only to live, but take ample tusks from their (presumably secret) graveyard. This represents a reluctance to kill, and the nature of elephant psychology could also be explored. Perhaps they, too, have a moral compass and codes of behavior guiding their interactions with each other and the world. Could it be possible they have more respect for life than we do?
Eye of an elephant
The Old Man of the Sea is a frightful thing, and the idea of spending days or weeks while carrying such a wretched burden is revolting. I know the story describes him as more of a prankster, but I like the idea of him as a parasite, leeching energy and effort from Sindbad. What's his backstory, anyways? How did a grimy old guy become the Old Man of the Sea, and what compels him to torture travelers unfortunate enough to encounter him alone?
The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang and illustrated by H. J. Ford (1898)
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