by Phil Stong
First published 1972
A farm worker finds himself responsible for an enormous elephant that disrupts his quiet rural life. The man must navigate the practical challenges of caring for such an unusual animal while dealing with the reactions of his neighbors and employer. As word spreads about the elephant, curious visitors arrive at the farm, transforming the hired man's solitary existence. The relationship between man and elephant deepens as they face mounting pressure from those who want to separate them. Phil Stong explores the bond that forms between two unlikely companions and examines what happens when the extraordinary intrudes upon ordinary small-town life. The story reveals how responsibility and affection can grow in unexpected circumstances.
Genres: fiction, animals, 20th-century, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Period: 20th-Century
Hardcover · Tom Stacey