With archival photos and film of elephants from World War II, Vicki Croke will tell the true story of Elephant Company.
In 1920, Billy Williams came to colonial Burma as a “forest man” for a British teak company. Mesmerized by the intelligence and character of the great animals who hauled logs through the jungle, he became a gifted “elephant wallah,” seeing remarkable abilities and emotions and ways of communicating among these elephants that field biologists would confirm decades later. In living with these animals day after day and fighting for their humane care, he came to realize that through their lessons in courage, trust, and gratitude, they had taught him to be a better man. His “teachers” included Bandoola, the magnificent tusker, who would lead refugees to safety; the young male eventually named Guide Man who faithfully help his blind mother; and Ma Chaw, or “Miss Smooth," who knew how to ask Williams for medical care.
It is a timeless story of compassion, heroism, and love.
