Deesa

"Deesa," said he, "you've spoken the truth, and I'd give you leave on the spot if anything could be done with Moti Guj while you're away.

Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes Charles Madison Curry 1906

Then Deesa would go to sleep between Moti Guj's forefeet, and as Deesa generally chose the middle of the public road, and as Moti Guj mounted guard over him, and would not permit horse, foot, or cart to pass by, traffic was congested till Deesa saw fit to wake up.

Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes Charles Madison Curry 1906

"Now I will speak Heaven's truth," gulped Deesa, with an inspiration.

Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes Charles Madison Curry 1906

Then Deesa would look at his feet and examine his eyes, and turn up the fringes of his mighty ears in case of sores or budding ophthalmia.

Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes Charles Madison Curry 1906

Once a week Deesa led Moti Guj down to the river, and Moti Guj lay on his side luxuriously in the shallows, while Deesa went over him with a coir-swab and a brick.

Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes Charles Madison Curry 1906

Deesa took a tent-peg and banged Moti Guj ten times on the nails.

Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes Charles Madison Curry 1906

"Call up your beast," said the planter; and Deesa shouted in the mysterious elephant language that some mahouts believe came from China at the birth of the world, when elephants and not men were masters.

Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes Charles Madison Curry 1906

Deesa sat on Moti Guj's neck and gave him orders, while Moti Guj rooted up the stumps -- for he owned a magnificent pair of tusks; or pulled at the end of a rope -- for he had a magnificent pair of shoulders -- while Deesa kicked him behind the ears and said he was the king of elephants.

Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes Charles Madison Curry 1906

"A devastating sickness has fallen on my village, and all my wives are dying," yelled Deesa, really in tears this time.

Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes Charles Madison Curry 1906

Deesa, the mahout, enjoyed his property undisturbed.

Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes Charles Madison Curry 1906