Mumbo jumbo: Mahout soothes jumbo's nerves

Kancheepuram, July 19 (UNI) Sometimes facts can be stranger than fiction. An elephant which almost ran amuck on a field calmed down after it heard 'soothing words' whispered into its ears by a mahout.

It began when the animal broke free from Mahout Sankar, who was leading it to Thirkalimedu, after he allegedly ran his ankus (prod) all over its body injuring it in several places.

The elephant threw Sankar down and almost trampled him to death when it suddenly ran to a field and helped itself to the crops and broke the branches of trees.

On hearing the news, its owner Gunaseelan rushed another mahout to the place who whispered some 'soothing words' into the animal's ears.

The elephant's reaction was instant. It allowed the mahout to climb on its back after bending its knees and also gave him a stick.

The mumbo 'jumbo' did have its effect after all.

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