Silence followed. They were all thinking the same thing, whatever it is that she is trying to achieve is going to end in her collapsing to exhaustion. “I have no idea why she won’t leave,” Rahul said. A few villagers exchanged glances.
Then one of them spoke. “Food.” Not to move her. Just to calm her. Give her a reason to pause. They brought what they could. Bananas, sugarcane and placed it carefully nearby and stepped back. At first, nothing changed.
The elephant kept digging. Slower now. But still focused. Then her trunk lifted. She paused. Turned slightly. The scent had reached her. She stepped toward the food. Not far. Just enough. She picked it up. The group held their breath.
And then she turned back toward the hole.