The Times has of late been delighting us with animal
stories. This week we have had not only the enchanting tale of the Bear in the Minaret and the Baby Tortoise, but the tale of the lazy Zoo Elephant, or the Mahout's Lessons in Obedience. It appears that the lady Indian elephant presented to the Zoo by the Maharajah of Cooch Behar two years ago entirely got the better of the English keepers this spring. She showed no trace of vice, or of disposition to run away, but refused to work. She would not stand between the new riding steps, and when the old wooden steps were replaced she was equally obdurate, and in the end declined not only to be saddled, but even to leave the elephant yard. Ultimately a mahout was cabled for to deal with the situation. " Ho is a Mahomedan from Assam, a tall, finely-built young man, with a bright and friendly expression."
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