The elephant...

Years ago I saw a series of photos in a magazine about a dying elephant in the African savanna. It was an old elephant, dying of natural causes, no hunting or horrible ivory harvesting involved. A large number of elephants of all ages, presumably the dying elephant's herd, appeared through the grasses and slowly gathered around it. They took turns going up to it and stroking it with their trunks. One elephant brought it some leaves to eat. Another brought a bunch of grass. A large male tried to mount it. The babies hung back behind their mothers, still part of the group. They tried everything to make it feel better. Eventually the elephant lay on its side and all the others gathered in a circle to keep it company as it died, surrounded by family and friends.

The elephants stayed with their friend throughout the night. The next day, they all slowly slipped away through the brush and grass.