My brother is a professional magician. He’s very good at it too. Back in the 1970’s he was Master Magician at Busch Gardens Florida. I visited him one summer.
Between engagements, as he sat with me in the arena stands watching an elephant act, something remarkable happened. In mid-performance a crew member rushed on stage, positioned a snow shovel under the animal’s tail and, as if on cue, the elephant deposited a load of dung into the waiting scoop. The fellow curtsied and disappeared with his catch. The audience roared their approval and the act went on.
I sat there baffled. “How did they know to do that?”
My brother just smiled. “Let’s go ask ‘em.”
Back stage George introduced me around. When I met the elephant performers they shared their secret. Not to be indelicate, but it seems there’s a hanging pocket of loose skin circling the outer rim of an elephant’s rectum. About ten seconds or so prior to relieving himself, the pocket firms up and juts outward. This puckering is a clear physical cue that a delivery is imminent.
Makes perfect sense. But here’s the part that slays me — during every performance there is one crew member whose entire job it is to watch the elephant’s anus. If a delivery is forthcoming, he’s there in a flash. For the rest of the day I couldn’t get my mind off the shovel bearer. What kind of job is that for a person? How do you even write the resume’ on that?
At this point let it be said I am primarily a visual thinker, as well as being ever on the lookout for a life-elevating metaphor. Sure enough, a winner showed up — “If you don’t want to get dumped on, keep your eye on the a**holes.”
Perfect analogy.
I used my snappy new line on all my friends until one of them replied, “How much does your life suck if that’s your best view?” I was 23 and thought I’d been so clever. But he was right. The elephant’s anus analogy was fun in an adolescent sort of way. For about ten minutes. But it had no value beyond that of a raunchy bumper sticker.
Is it fad, fancy or simple desperation that diverts us to the darker things in life, when all the while we are up to our bow ties in blessings? Our planet is a stunner. And the people on it are a staggering spectacle of high-octane personalities more flamboyant than any African sunset. How do we not marvel in that every waking minute of our day?
I think of such miracles and balance the many stupidities and missteps of my youth against the good people and good things around me today. Any real quality I may enjoy in my life is found neither in perfection nor perdition. Somewhere in the middle of it all, suspended between the despicable and the divine, if I look for it, there is harmony.
These days I no longer dwell on the shovel. Rather I am simply happy that I can appreciate the elephant.
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Nouveau Scarecrow 
Michael,
I don’t know how I missed this one and it’s very funny. I sure didn’t know that about elephants. I’m not likely to forget about that shovel for awhile either The poor man who has that job, I can’t imagine how that is.
Sunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
Michael, I this is such a great story of where we focus. It was fun learning about the elephant too. You teach insightful lessons of life so magically with your stories. I just really enjoy it and enjoy coming back to it. Thanks so much. God bless, Maria from Delight Directed Living
I wouldn’t normally consider my writing as lessons but rather observations from a narrow perspective — my own. Your good-natured and generous compliments make it clear you are a person of warmth and substance. I dearly appreciate that you have taken something of value away from these posts. Thank you for you very kind words. Cheers.
Very entertaining post! I love that your brother is a magician too – how fun. 😉
Prestidigitators of the world unite! Nice to meet you Kimberly. Thanks your fun feedback.
I thoroughly enjoyed how you used humor to introduce the idea and deftly moved to quite a poignant thought. I think finding harmony in life is so important and one of the best ways, in my opinion, to do so is revel in the beauty of this amazing world in which we live.
Thank you for such a beautiful thought for the day.
Lyre at Lyre’s Musings #atozchallenge
How very sweet, Amy. I dearly appreciate you stopping by. It’s a delight to meet nice people like you. Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comments.
Funny and poignant post. There is something very zen about that crew member’s story. Imagine what it must take to be that attentive and in the moment to consistently catch the dung within the 10-second warning. Not that I’m recommending this job as the way to learn presence. Just saying.
Astute observation, Jagoda. You’re right. It’s somewhat like Whack-a-Mole in reverse. Fast reflexes are everything. Thanks for reading and for your entertaining comments.
I’ve really been enjoying your A to Z Challenge posts, and I’ve nominated you for an award:
http://rhondaerb.com/2013/04/09/holy-moly-i-got-an-award/
-Rhonda
An award? I thought the A to Z was just to challenge ourselves. I didn’t know anything about awards. You’re very sweet and I thank you for your kind support.
I didn’t either, until a kind blogger nominated me. It’s fun though, kind of a pay-it-forward kind of thing! Love your blog!
With my time at such a premium these days, I think my I’ll invest myself instead in visiting and reading other blogs. Thank you for considering me award worthy, but may I politely decline your gracious offer? Do tell me, though, how I can help support other nominees. You’re very sweet.
At first I was intrigued. Then grossed out. Next came laughter. Finally, a good moral. Well done!
Jana @ A Novel Reality
So happy I could give you a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Thank you for reading and for your fine compliments. :]
What an entertaining and creative post! This especially resonated with me and my background in magic shows. I love the way you put the whole lesson together to make your point.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Once in showbiz, always in showbiz. I truly appreciate your fine commentary on all the A to Z posts. (But especially mine… :] ) Thank you so much.
Excellent post! Seriously good stuff!!
Muchos grapenuts. You’re very kind. I bow to your good taste. :,]
Another great post! Your lesson is gently applied.
What a lovely compliment. Thank you Marti. So happy to have new friends like you.
I love how you moved the reader from hilarity to deep reflection in the space of a couple of hundred workd. You have also taught me something today about elephant anatomy because it doesn’t matter how old I am I find the visual you painted really funny.I wonder whether there was any scope for promotion in that shovler’s job?
oh my gosh that’s so hilarious about elephants and that poor man with the collection job.
As they say, it’s a living. But show people are good people and will suffer any indignity for a shot at the spotlight. Thank you for reading.