THE ELEPHANT AT THE BRIDGE
An engine, weighing about 10 tons, was being drawn by an elephant up to a tea factory in the hills of Ceylon. On the way a narrow bridge over a deep ravine had to be crossed, and the engineer consulted the mahout (elephant driver), as to its safety. Would it stand the heavy load? "Don't know," replied; the mahout; " we'll ask the elephant." The engineer laughed, but allowed the elephant to be led up to the bridge as if to cross it.
Patting one great foot out, the elephant cautiously tested the bridge and then drew back, refusing to cross. The men strengthened the bridge with a couple of tree trunks lying near, but after testing it in the same way the elephant still refused to cross, and it. was not until eight or nine trunks had been added that the elephant, himself weighing five tons, would venture on the bridge drawing over it his much heavier engine!
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19400913.2.15.13
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Evening Star, Issue 23680, 13 September 1940, Page 3
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163THE ELEPHANT AT THE BRIDGE Evening Star, Issue 23680, 13 September 1940, Page 3
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