Land of a Million Elephants

By Somboun Joy Niravanh

I would like to share a part of my ancestral culture and history using a story I have written of a beloved elephant. The elephant graces the once-royal flag and is the old symbol of a soon-to-be-forgotten monarchy of the country of Lao. The Southeast Asian wars of the nineteen hundreds were fought by brave souls who were misled by greedy and corrupt men who only wanted to seek absolute power and control and ended the reign of the Lan Xang Kingdom. For seven hundred years, many different ethnicities have settled in this lush jungle paradise. It was never the land of any particular group as many shared its majestic mountains and tropical lowlands, and all called their home the land of a million elephants. Enjoy the story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514434956

Somboun Joy Niravanh

Somboun Joy Niravanh was born in the country of Lao in the mid-1970s. He immigrated with his family to America in the 1980s. They first lived in Connecticut, but it was too cold, and the family moved to California. Somboun now lives somewhere in Southern California no one knows where, brewing beer and making pickles.

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Copyright © 2015 by Somboun Joy Niravanh.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 12/16/2015

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CONTENTS

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When you’re gone, I’ll remember and think of you, but I’m the last of our circle of friends; and who will remember my stories? I have wandered this earth and left my footprints in the ever changing sands, and imprinted my soul in the clay. Sometimes, I wish I was the first to go out of the circle, but then, who would be left to tell our story?

1

I laid there under the shade of the coconut tree, using my floppy ears to fan off any flies or aerial pests that wanted to disturb me from my nap. I could hear the sounds of the other young ones trampling through the dirt and brush, making all sort of ruckus that didn’t allow for me to have any type of sleep whatsoever as they raced past me, trying to get my attention.

Come on, Noy, wake up and help us chase these rabbits!

Those rabbits will be the death of you guys, I replied. Just leave me alone so I can nap.

The other young ones had found a fallen coconut and started to kick it around. I couldn’t help myself from staying away from all that fun, and awoke from my slumber. Kick it to me, I screamed at the top of my lungs. The coconut bounced wildly among us. Khamla was the most athletic out of all of us and had secured the coconut, eluding Ping from ever getting a chance to have a turn kicking it. Dee was barreling behind Khamla and kicked the coconut towards me. My turn, I yelled and with a quick kick, the coconut went soaring in the air and into the herd.

We all looked at each other as the coconut went sailing through the air. Khamla and Ping darted into the thick of the jungle, and Dee just fell to the ground with his ears covering his eyes. I watched the projectile get closer to the herd and at the last moment, I screamed, everyone duck! Of course, no one did and just stared into the sky; by the time the adults saw the coconut, it was too late. A few moments later I heard a clunk and saw four legs on the ground, not moving. Dee sat there with his eyes closed and cursing,

O shit, Noy we are going to be in some deep buffalo shit this time.

I could see Khamla and Ping trying to hide their big asses behind a small palm tree. Oh damn, I said and started approaching the rest of the herd. The legs were tiny but I couldn’t tell who it was that got knocked out yet. Then I heard a thunderous roar, Noy, you little piece of turd!

I already knew who the voice was coming from, and it wasn’t good for me. I could hear the chuckles of Ping and Khamla from the brush, and poor Dee probably just wet himself over there with his eyes covered. The ground started trembling as the father of Phone stomped his feet on the ground. My backside was already beginning to hurt, even before Phone’s father started his royal ass whooping of my behind.

Noy, look at what you done now!

I yelled out and gave you guys warning didn’t I, before the coconut hit, didn’t I?

This guy surely wasn’t going to listen to any reasoning. I thought it best to make him look the other way and make a dash for it.

Look here, Khamphou, I saw some monkeys over that way throwing coconuts at us kids, they saw the herd and started to fling at you guys, and I tried to warn you.

Monkeys? Where?

Just look over there to your right, Khamphou.

The moment he turned his head, I darted into the bush to join Ping and Khamla.

What about Dee?

Don’t worry about him, the herd knows he wouldn’t harm a fly, but for us three, we are going to get hurt.

I’m tired of getting punished, Noy, said Ping.

Well, we are already in this together, so no crying now guys. And by the way, it was you two that started kicking the coconut. Why the hell are you crying, Ping?

My mom has already told me, no more trouble or I get sent to live with the Elephants of the Orange Clay.

Ewwwwww…that sucks Ping, no play, just meditation from sun-up to sundown.

I know, and no dinner, just breakfast of dried leaves.

Noy, Khamla, Ping get out here, yells Khamphou. We searched the area and didn’t find any monkeys. Are you boys lying to us?

Come on, I said those monkeys were fast and organized. They were gone before you guys started the search.

Soon, the feet of Phone starts twitching and she rises from the ground. Were there really monkeys, Noy? Cause I really detest them.

Of course there were, I replied. Whew, that was close, I thought, we are out of trouble.

Khamla and Ping finally came out of the bush and asked what happened

Don’t worry fellas I told them, I made up some stuff about deranged monkeys launching coconuts at the herd.

And they fell for it, Noy? asked Ping…..You’re damn skippy, I replied.

This whole time, we should have kept an eye on Dee, for he was still shaken from the event and feared his parents, as we all did. Dee was still curled down to the ground and soon we saw his mother come beside him.

Are you ok, son?

Oh no! Dee doesn’t know we are in the clear….Ping, I yelled, go stop him before he tells his mom everything. Ping went dashing towards Dee, but he had already spurted out the truth to his mom. I saw her eyes widen and she immediately called over the big brute, Khamphou. There was no time to be wasted, so me, Khamla, and Ping ran into the brush again. We peered out of the brush into the clearing where all the adults were standing around Phone, asking her about her injuries and deciding how they were going to punish us three misfits. My own father stood there by Khamphou, grinning and laughing as Khamphou suggested different ideas on our punishment.

Damn you old bull, I said. I knew he himself wanted to get into the action. My ma came around, asking what all the commotion was about and she dropped her trunk and jaw as all was revealed to her.

So, what should we do about Noy? she asked Pharla, my father.

Oh, don’t worry, me and the other elders got a great idea on what to do with those three.

What about Dee asked Phone?

He already embarrassed himself and peed on his own leg, we don’t have to worry about that one.

Us three watched from the far edge of the clearing, wondering what devices were the elders thinking about using to punish us three?

What we going to do, Noy?

Why don’t you just hush up there, Ping, so I can decide what we need to do?

Khamla already started to coat his rear end with a generous coating of mud in anticipation of the great ass whooping that was about to occur. I saw all the parents locate the perfect sized switch that was to beat our behinds. Come on out boys, the longer you stay there, the more lashes you will receive, yelled out Khamphou. Khamla went out first and the sound of the branch hitting his backside crackled in the air. He didn’t scream or yell; he was a lot larger than the rest of us and I think he didn’t feel anything because of his thick hide. Soon, Ping went out into the vicious circle of discipline. He was already sobbing and screaming before a switch even hit his butt! It was all Noy’s idea! he screamed every time his backside was struck

Why, the little sellout, I said.

We’re saving the best whooping for last, Noy – so come on out.

Damn, if those boys would have left me to my slumber, I wouldn’t have been in this predicament. I can’t be upset with them, for I had joined in the fanfare myself. I took a deep breath and held my trunk up high, and started towards the elders. The trunks and wide legs of the elders parted to find out it was my Ma who had the switch. She was the one that was going to be my punisher. I stood there under the sun, and the large bodies of the elders came closer together blocking out the sun.

Get him, yelled out one of the elders. Yeah, give him an ass whooping he never will forget.

My Ma circled around like a vulture seeing what piece of my behind was going to be her first area of assault. As she came around my ear, she whispered, Don’t worry Noy, I got a switch that was already fractured in the middle, so just yell as loud as you can when I hit you.

I can’t believe this son of mine can cause so much trouble, she yelled. Then came the barrage of hits, as I screamed at the top of my lungs. I could see Ping and Khamla cringe every time the switch came down on my backside. She had furry in her eyes, but the blows were soft. I screamed and yelled for mercy, and some of the elders almost stopped her. SMAAACK…..POP……Crack went the switch; then finally the switch broke and my father came to intervene. That’s enough Ma, he said. Ma was huffing and puffing, and she yelled out, let this be an example to all you troubled boys out there. She turned and looked at me, then winked. I continued with my performance and pretended to sob as I headed for Khamla and Ping.

Your mom really gave you a whooping, said Khamla.

Forget all that, let’s go get Dee and set him straight.

The group of us young boys leisurely strolled toward Dee, as he was still on the ground and pretty wound up from the event. Dee, you idiot, yelled out Ping…next time, just don’t say anything at all unless you hear from us. We circled him and nudged him with our trunks to get up off the ground. His mom yelled at us, Stay away from my boy! All you three are nothing but trouble!

Come on, Dee let’s go chase some rabbits. At this, he quickly got up and us four were looking for some new adventure to get into.

We walked past Phone, and her mother gently was caressing the knot on top of her head; I felt really awful. As we went by, she just turned her head away from our view and sought the shelter of her father’s massive legs. Khamphou snorted and stomped his feet, demonstrating how he would crush us underneath them. We all tried to apologize to Phone, but she would have nothing from us. You boys are nothing but trouble, and Dee I don’t know why you, out of everyone are always around them, Phone sighed out. Dee had no better reply than, They’re my friends. Soon, everyone’s mother called out for their young and we all dispersed to our moms.

Why is it you always get into trouble, son? I had no answer for her at the time. Do you always want to make me worry so much and give me a headache? No, I said……Then, why do you do what you do, Noy?

I didn’t intend to do any of these things, but somehow what starts out as a childish game just goes wrong. I don’t know how to explain it to you, Ma, but I’ll try to be more careful. She gave me a piercing look, as though she wanted to believe me, but knew by tomorrow I would have broken something or upset someone else by noon time. She gave out a huge sigh and said, It’s time to rest now…come here and lay by my side so I can keep an eye on you.

I awoke before the first rays of dawn. Birds of every color were chirping and making all types of racket. I tried to find a little rock with my trunk, so I could fling it towards the tree with those noisy, feathered pea brains that didn’t listen to my yells telling them to shut up for at least another hour or more. Ma’s warm trunk was still on top of my back, securing me from my escape (if I wanted to). From the edge of the river, I could hear the other elephants starting their morning bath. I focused my eyes and saw Khamla and Ping already playing in the water. I blew a gust of air with my trunk in Ma’s eyes, and she was still asleep; even an earthquake wouldn’t have awakened her. I slowly wiggled myself around like a worm to loosen myself from her tight grasp. After a few moments, I was free to run rampant again. I hurried towards the river’s bank and the larger ones were out in the river up to half their legs deep in water making sure crocodiles weren’t around. Us smaller ones stayed in the shallows behind the protection of our larger brothers. I dashed towards Khamla, as he wasn’t looking and rammed him with my head, and he flew into the cool water. Ping was on top of a boulder at the river’s edge and jumped in.

Where’s Dee? asked Ping. Then a large voice bellowed out, Leave that boy alone. I looked up, and it was our dear friend, Khamphou. I whispered to the other boys, let’s take up a lot of water in our trunks and spray him, on the count of three.

We all had innocent looks as we just waded in the water and began filling up our aqua cannons. I’m filled up, said Khamla, and Ping nodded his head in agreement. I called out to Khamphou and said, I got something to say about yesterday. The huge gray, moving mountain turned his head and said, I’ve been waiting for the apology. I counted, One, two, three…….. and we all sprayed that giant at once. I made sure to get him in the eyes, to ensure our escape for that day. Khamphou blew out the biggest horn noise I ever had heard from his trunk; this was our signal to get out of the water and make a run for it. Even all the birds in the surrounding trees cleared the vicinity and filled the early morning sky. They were smart – for the first time I thought – for when Khamphou was extremely angry, he would ram down any tree in his sight. We were quick to leave the river’s water, and as I climbed onto the riverbank, I slipped on the mud before I could make my escape. Oh, damn, I thought. Ping and Khamla were already in the brush before I could lift my head. I looked out to the right and saw Dee giggling at all the commotion. I could also see his mother, telling him not to move so he wouldn’t be involved with this disastrous group. I felt the earth move as Khamphou stepped closer and closer. Come on, lets, I thought to myself, "get up and start running; but the mud had trapped me like a fly in sticky nectar. All I could do was wait for my verdict from the giant, which would have probably been to stand out in the sun for an hour, then receive another royal ass whooping. I knew he would kick my rear end first, as he always does, and then pronounce in front of all the other elders and the rest of the herd, how I didn’t deserve to be in the land of King Khounsavanh, the King and ruler of the heavenly province of the south. I thought I would just use my ears, as usual, and block out Khamphou’s monotone speech, but today was different and Khamphou didn’t kick me with his foot. I myself was amazed at this strange behavior.

Khamphou roared out, We must prepare for the gathering of the three kingdoms and not bother ourselves with this young boy’s foolishness. So, I lay there, the first time not disciplined, bewildered by what our herd leader meant by gathering?

What’s this talk of a gathering? I asked Ma. If only you would have stayed by my side, you would have known, she replied.

That doesn’t do me any good, these riddles of yours. So what we doing, where is the herd going?

Don’t worry about it, Noy! Just finish eating your breakfast so we can start our journey south.

South? I said, Are there going to be a lot of other little ones?" I couldn’t contain myself; I jumped up and down with joy.

You getting tired of Khamla, Ping and Dee?

No, they’re fun, but it’s always good to run into some new boys. I ran toward Dee, did you hear, we are headed south and there is going to be other young ones for us to play with. This is great, I thought, now we can actually play whole games without any of us playing multiple positions. Khamla came towards me, Did you hear guys?

Yep, we did.

Dee didn’t have that much excitement on his face as us three. Why the long face, Dee?

If the group is going to be bigger, you guys won’t have a need for me anymore.

Is that what you are thinking, you fool!? There’s only one of you, and who is going to chase rabbits around for no apparent reason and tell on us like you do?

You guys aren’t mad I always tell on you?

How are we supposed to get Khamphou’s blood boiling if we get away with everything?

You guys actually like getting him mad?

That’s half the fun, I said……come on, let’s go see what Phone is doing before we head out.

I headed towards Phone and started making monkey noises, and the others soon followed with their own imitations of those turd flinging primates. Ah, monkeys, cried out Phone as she ran underneath her mother’s legs. We all giggled and I presented her with some fresh leaves that I recently picked. So, you excited like us Phone?

Yeah, there might be young girls for me to play with other than be close to you four……..sorry, I meant you three – Dee is ok.

We are your herd, you got to love us.

Yeah, I know, I love you guys but it doesn’t mean I have to like any of you.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? exclaimed Dee.

I left Phone the leaves and us four in a single file, with me first, headed towards my Ma.

Are you four ready for the long journey?

No one told me this was going to be a long trip, and I need my naps during the day. How long is the journey? I asked. Khamphou grunted out, a 5 day walk from where we are now.

Did he just say 5 days? asked Khamla.

I think so, you have big ears, didn’t you hear him?

This enraged Khamla, and he pushed me with his big head. I turned around and found a branch and used it to hit him on his oversized left ear. Ha, take that, Khamla. I huffed out. Soon we had another circle of elephants form around us, yelling out what to do and how to hit the other one. Instead of acting like adults, the elders were worse than us boys, because they laughed and cheered. Soon, Khamphou’s massive leg came down in between us two. Stop this at one! The force of his leg coming down on the ground blew both of us backwards. I soon forgot why I was upset, and Khamla got up and followed me to get a drink of water from the river’s edge. Those boys fight all the time said one of the elders, but within a few minutes, they’re playing with each other again.

Ah, yes said Pharla what I would give to be that young again and not have to worry about anything. Those were the days. Khamphou even agreed….

What was that all about? I said to Khamla. I already knew he was sensitive about his ears, but I told him, Hey, it just came out in the heat of the moment.

No worries he replied, and we filled our bellied with cool river water. I saw a snout of a large crocodile not too far from us. Hey buddy, you about done?

Yeah, why?

Look over there.

We slowly backed up, and soon we found some rocks and started flinging them in the direction of that hungry croc.

Here, eat some rocks I yelled. Ping comes over and I tell him to pick up some rocks and throw them in the direction towards the south end of the river.

What you guys doing? asked Dee.

I said, There’s a crocodile there, so help us chase him away.

He doesn’t look like he would hurt no one, Noy.

I told Dee that crocodiles snatch young ones and drag them into the water. That’s what my Ma told me I said. Doesn’t your mom tell you these things, other than babying you all the time, Dee? Dee wasn’t concerned with what we were doing and