This has always been one of my favorite essays. I've always had a great affection for elephants and the death of this creature is nothing short of tragic.
I had halted on the road. As soon as I saw the elephant I knew with perfect certainty that I ought not to shoot him. It is a serious matter to shoot a working elephant--it is comparable to destroying a huge and costly piece of machinery--and obviously one ought not to do it if it can possibly be avoided. And at that distance, peacefully eating, the elephant looked no more dangerous than a cow. I thought then and I think now that his attack of "must" was already passing off; in which case he would merely wander harmlessly about until the mahout came back and caught him. Moreover, I did not in the least want to shoot him. I decided that I would watch him for a little while to make sure that he did not turn savage again, and then go home.
http://www.george-orwell.org/Shooting_an_Elephant/0.html
1 comment:
Similar to Thoreau's comments from In the Maine Woods about how shooting a moose seemed about as sporting as walking up to your neighbors cow and shooting it in the head.
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