How to Sit with Elephants | Ronald Dulek | TEDxTuscaloosa

[Music]

[Music] ten years ago my wife and I got on the

ten years ago my wife and I got on the

ten years ago my wife and I got on the Internet in Northport Alabama and we

Internet in Northport Alabama and we

Internet in Northport Alabama and we bought a house in sabe Park South Africa

bought a house in sabe Park South Africa

bought a house in sabe Park South Africa and a nature preserve the last ten

and a nature preserve the last ten

and a nature preserve the last ten summers we’ve spent in South Africa

summers we’ve spent in South Africa

summers we’ve spent in South Africa living in the bush we’ve had a ton of

living in the bush we’ve had a ton of

living in the bush we’ve had a ton of experiences and a number of lessons in

experiences and a number of lessons in

experiences and a number of lessons in these in these 10 years and I’m here

these in these 10 years and I’m here

these in these 10 years and I’m here today to share with you one of the most

today to share with you one of the most

today to share with you one of the most important lessons that we’ve had and

important lessons that we’ve had and

important lessons that we’ve had and that we’ve learned and I want to teach

that we’ve learned and I want to teach

that we’ve learned and I want to teach you how to sit with a herd of elephants

you how to sit with a herd of elephants

you how to sit with a herd of elephants what I want to do first is let me set

what I want to do first is let me set

what I want to do first is let me set the context and then once we have the

the context and then once we have the

the context and then once we have the context I’ll start teaching you how to

context I’ll start teaching you how to

context I’ll start teaching you how to sit with elephants the this is our house

sit with elephants the this is our house

sit with elephants the this is our house the this the house has we use solar

the this the house has we use solar

the this the house has we use solar power we can go two days without

power we can go two days without

power we can go two days without electricity after that we have or

electricity after that we have or

electricity after that we have or without sunlight after that we have to

without sunlight after that we have to

without sunlight after that we have to shut down we have no cell phones no

shut down we have no cell phones no

shut down we have no cell phones no internet we’re on our own pretty much we

internet we’re on our own pretty much we

internet we’re on our own pretty much we do have a panic button and we’re told

do have a panic button and we’re told

do have a panic button and we’re told that help would come within about ten

that help would come within about ten

that help would come within about ten minutes

minutes

minutes the about ten ten meters from where my

the about ten ten meters from where my

the about ten ten meters from where my wife is sitting this way is is a wire

wife is sitting this way is is a wire

wife is sitting this way is is a wire fence that separates us from Kruger

fence that separates us from Kruger

fence that separates us from Kruger National Park which is the largest

National Park which is the largest

National Park which is the largest National Park in Africa this is our

National Park in Africa this is our

National Park in Africa this is our garage occasionally South Africans call

garage occasionally South Africans call

garage occasionally South Africans call them zebras we have to go in to remove a

them zebras we have to go in to remove a

them zebras we have to go in to remove a gas the zebra to move so that we can

gas the zebra to move so that we can

gas the zebra to move so that we can park the car here’s the top of our

park the car here’s the top of our

park the car here’s the top of our driveway

driveway

driveway we have acacia trees in the driveway and

we have acacia trees in the driveway and

we have acacia trees in the driveway and giraffes like to eat eat acacia leaves

giraffes like to eat eat acacia leaves

giraffes like to eat eat acacia leaves so they come they frequently come in and

so they come they frequently come in and

so they come they frequently come in and we have to remove that and wait for them

we have to remove that and wait for them

we have to remove that and wait for them to finish their their diet before we

to finish their their diet before we

to finish their their diet before we come in here’s the middle of our

come in here’s the middle of our

come in here’s the middle of our driveway this doesn’t happen a lot but

driveway this doesn’t happen a lot but

driveway this doesn’t happen a lot but when it does we stop walking up and down

when it does we stop walking up and down

when it does we stop walking up and down the driveway the for a few days then we

the driveway the for a few days then we

the driveway the for a few days then we drive and we’re very careful he’s a very

drive and we’re very careful he’s a very

drive and we’re very careful he’s a very old Leopard and and they jumped the

old Leopard and and they jumped the

old Leopard and and they jumped the fence to come in

fence to come in

fence to come in this is actually a nick saban recruit

this is actually a nick saban recruit

this is actually a nick saban recruit this is actually the back this is the

this is actually the back this is the

this is actually the back this is the back fence where we where I said that my

back fence where we where I said that my

back fence where we where I said that my wife lives but the tenth of three meters

wife lives but the tenth of three meters

wife lives but the tenth of three meters from my ten meters from where my wife

from my ten meters from where my wife

from my ten meters from where my wife was sitting this is an area called a

was sitting this is an area called a

was sitting this is an area called a lapa we cook out here in the night and

lapa we cook out here in the night and

lapa we cook out here in the night and we cook over an open fire on that area

we cook over an open fire on that area

we cook over an open fire on that area and we we light those blue lanterns

and we we light those blue lanterns

and we we light those blue lanterns heavily with light one of the dictums of

heavily with light one of the dictums of

heavily with light one of the dictums of Africa is to always be stay close to

Africa is to always be stay close to

Africa is to always be stay close to your fire to surround yourself with fire

your fire to surround yourself with fire

your fire to surround yourself with fire because the animals won’t cross fire so

because the animals won’t cross fire so

because the animals won’t cross fire so for safety we have to stay very close to

for safety we have to stay very close to

for safety we have to stay very close to the fire that’s an interesting dictum

the fire that’s an interesting dictum

the fire that’s an interesting dictum that provides an interesting metaphor

that provides an interesting metaphor

that provides an interesting metaphor for many parts of life the notion

for many parts of life the notion

for many parts of life the notion staying close to your fire you know 82%

staying close to your fire you know 82%

staying close to your fire you know 82% of businesses when they buy man they

of businesses when they buy man they

of businesses when they buy man they make purchases of other businesses

make purchases of other businesses

make purchases of other businesses outside their field lose money it’s all

outside their field lose money it’s all

outside their field lose money it’s all tempting to say things away from my fire

tempting to say things away from my fire

tempting to say things away from my fire look easier sometimes we want to stay

look easier sometimes we want to stay

look easier sometimes we want to stay close to our fire this is the Protea

close to our fire this is the Protea

close to our fire this is the Protea Hotel at Kruger Gate the that because we

Hotel at Kruger Gate the that because we

Hotel at Kruger Gate the that because we don’t have internet I go here to pick up

don’t have internet I go here to pick up

don’t have internet I go here to pick up internet connections I go there daily to

internet connections I go there daily to

internet connections I go there daily to seek because if people need to reach us

seek because if people need to reach us

seek because if people need to reach us they can’t and I’ve negotiated a deal

they can’t and I’ve negotiated a deal

they can’t and I’ve negotiated a deal there’s a little room back there are a

there’s a little room back there are a

there’s a little room back there are a television room that they let me use to

television room that they let me use to

television room that they let me use to get connected and this becomes an

get connected and this becomes an

get connected and this becomes an important part of the story because in

important part of the story because in

important part of the story because in the television room our safari guides

the television room our safari guides

the television room our safari guides who they take their breaks between tours

who they take their breaks between tours

who they take their breaks between tours and they hang around there and so I’ve

and they hang around there and so I’ve

and they hang around there and so I’ve gotten to know these Safari guts after a

gotten to know these Safari guts after a

gotten to know these Safari guts after a few years living in spending our summers

few years living in spending our summers

few years living in spending our summers in Africa I had a desire to do something

in Africa I had a desire to do something

in Africa I had a desire to do something that I expressed to these safari guides

that I expressed to these safari guides

that I expressed to these safari guides I told him I wanted to learn how to

I told him I wanted to learn how to

I told him I wanted to learn how to approach a wild elephant and they took

approach a wild elephant and they took

approach a wild elephant and they took me under their wing and they taught me

me under their wing and they taught me

me under their wing and they taught me and I want to teach you how to approach

and I want to teach you how to approach

and I want to teach you how to approach a wild African elephant the first thing

a wild African elephant the first thing

a wild African elephant the first thing you have to do and the guides are I

you have to do and the guides are I

you have to do and the guides are I think this is really funny is you have

think this is really funny is you have

think this is really funny is you have to find an elephant they all laugh you

to find an elephant they all laugh you

to find an elephant they all laugh you know and so that’s alright now next and

know and so that’s alright now next and

know and so that’s alright now next and this is in our backyard by the way the

this is in our backyard by the way the

this is in our backyard by the way the you you have to you have to

you you have to you have to

you you have to you have to assume an air of humility you cannot

assume an air of humility you cannot

assume an air of humility you cannot stare at the elephant staring is an act

stare at the elephant staring is an act

stare at the elephant staring is an act of aggression and only predator stare so

of aggression and only predator stare so

of aggression and only predator stare so you have to put your head down and then

you have to put your head down and then

you have to put your head down and then you proceed to walk very slowly toward

you proceed to walk very slowly toward

you proceed to walk very slowly toward the elephant at some point as you move

the elephant at some point as you move

the elephant at some point as you move toward that elephant the elephant will

toward that elephant the elephant will

toward that elephant the elephant will put out its ears and that’s saying

put out its ears and that’s saying

put out its ears and that’s saying that’s an acknowledgment that I see you

that’s an acknowledgment that I see you

that’s an acknowledgment that I see you you know you’re coming into my zone and

you know you’re coming into my zone and

you know you’re coming into my zone and now you have to glance up very carefully

now you have to glance up very carefully

now you have to glance up very carefully the elephants have a gland between their

the elephants have a gland between their

the elephants have a gland between their eyes and their ears and that’s it which

eyes and their ears and that’s it which

eyes and their ears and that’s it which will secrete fluid if the elephant is in

will secrete fluid if the elephant is in

will secrete fluid if the elephant is in heat or is in stress and so you have to

heat or is in stress and so you have to

heat or is in stress and so you have to carefully glance up and see if there’s

carefully glance up and see if there’s

carefully glance up and see if there’s fluid coming out if there is get out of

fluid coming out if there is get out of

fluid coming out if there is get out of there okay because that’s a very

there okay because that’s a very

there okay because that’s a very dangerous situation and the elephant is

dangerous situation and the elephant is

dangerous situation and the elephant is going to hurt you if you don’t see the

going to hurt you if you don’t see the

going to hurt you if you don’t see the fluid you can then proceed to continue

fluid you can then proceed to continue

fluid you can then proceed to continue walking toward the elephant slowly with

walking toward the elephant slowly with

walking toward the elephant slowly with your head down but at some point the

your head down but at some point the

your head down but at some point the elephant you will tell you that you’ve

elephant you will tell you that you’ve

elephant you will tell you that you’ve crossed into the next zone the signals

crossed into the next zone the signals

crossed into the next zone the signals of moving into this next zone is the

of moving into this next zone is the

of moving into this next zone is the elephant will pick up its trunk and

elephant will pick up its trunk and

elephant will pick up its trunk and trumpet it will then do what it’s called

trumpet it will then do what it’s called

trumpet it will then do what it’s called a mock charge it will come straight at

a mock charge it will come straight at

a mock charge it will come straight at you with the trunk raised and making

you with the trunk raised and making

you with the trunk raised and making noise

noise

noise the guides tell me just stand there and

the guides tell me just stand there and

the guides tell me just stand there and the elephant will stop sure for years

the elephant will stop sure for years

the elephant will stop sure for years okay for years I did this for years that

okay for years I did this for years that

okay for years I did this for years that elephant would start charging and I

elephant would start charging and I

elephant would start charging and I would run like a little child

would run like a little child

would run like a little child I mean it is those things away three

I mean it is those things away three

I mean it is those things away three tons they’re magnificent animals but

tons they’re magnificent animals but

tons they’re magnificent animals but it’s but you can’t help but ask yourself

it’s but you can’t help but ask yourself

it’s but you can’t help but ask yourself what if this out what if a I missed the

what if this out what if a I missed the

what if this out what if a I missed the fluid or B this elephant doesn’t know

fluid or B this elephant doesn’t know

fluid or B this elephant doesn’t know the rules

the rules

the rules the guides didn’t make fun of me when I

the guides didn’t make fun of me when I

the guides didn’t make fun of me when I told them about this so the guide said

told them about this so the guide said

told them about this so the guide said it’s okay it’s okay

it’s okay it’s okay

it’s okay it’s okay you haven’t really assumed the air of

you haven’t really assumed the air of

you haven’t really assumed the air of humility you haven’t really become

humility you haven’t really become

humility you haven’t really become humble and they said keep trying and

humble and they said keep trying and

humble and they said keep trying and it’s okay to run away you’ll know when

it’s okay to run away you’ll know when

it’s okay to run away you’ll know when you can stay and three years ago I was

you can stay and three years ago I was

you can stay and three years ago I was out in our backyard by myself I

out in our backyard by myself I

out in our backyard by myself I encountered an elephant

encountered an elephant

encountered an elephant and we went through the ritual I just

and we went through the ritual I just

and we went through the ritual I just described she charged and I had no

described she charged and I had no

described she charged and I had no desire whatsoever to move I just stayed

desire whatsoever to move I just stayed

desire whatsoever to move I just stayed and about when she got about 10 feet

and about when she got about 10 feet

and about when she got about 10 feet away she stopped and I kind of peeked up

away she stopped and I kind of peeked up

away she stopped and I kind of peeked up and she kind of looked at me like this

and she kind of looked at me like this

and she kind of looked at me like this and tilted her head and we stayed

and tilted her head and we stayed

and tilted her head and we stayed together for about a minute and then she

together for about a minute and then she

together for about a minute and then she looked and she just walked off into the

looked and she just walked off into the

looked and she just walked off into the bush

bush

bush it was the most one of the most

it was the most one of the most

it was the most one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life the

exhilarating experiences of my life the

exhilarating experiences of my life the only thing I can think I’ve always

only thing I can think I’ve always

only thing I can think I’ve always wanted to land a jet plane on an

wanted to land a jet plane on an

wanted to land a jet plane on an aircraft carrier and I felt just like I

aircraft carrier and I felt just like I

aircraft carrier and I felt just like I had done that I felt just like I had

had done that I felt just like I had

had done that I felt just like I had done that I thought it was over the next

done that I thought it was over the next

done that I thought it was over the next day my wife and I were sitting on that

day my wife and I were sitting on that

day my wife and I were sitting on that back stoop and the elephant came back

back stoop and the elephant came back

back stoop and the elephant came back and it was in and she came right back to

and it was in and she came right back to

and it was in and she came right back to the fence and she fell asleep and my

the fence and she fell asleep and my

the fence and she fell asleep and my wife said are you going to go down there

wife said are you going to go down there

wife said are you going to go down there out oh yeah I don’t know and I and I

out oh yeah I don’t know and I and I

out oh yeah I don’t know and I and I wanted to but I was afraid and so I

wanted to but I was afraid and so I

wanted to but I was afraid and so I didn’t and when I later told the guides

didn’t and when I later told the guides

didn’t and when I later told the guides about this experience they said she was

about this experience they said she was

about this experience they said she was exhibiting that she trusted you and you

exhibiting that she trusted you and you

exhibiting that she trusted you and you should have gone in sat beside her easy

should have gone in sat beside her easy

should have gone in sat beside her easy for the guides to say okay and and so we

for the guides to say okay and and so we

for the guides to say okay and and so we then shortly thereafter came flew home

then shortly thereafter came flew home

then shortly thereafter came flew home to Tuscaloosa and I thought that it I’d

to Tuscaloosa and I thought that it I’d

to Tuscaloosa and I thought that it I’d had one experience but had missed the

had one experience but had missed the

had one experience but had missed the other and I thought it was all over that

other and I thought it was all over that

other and I thought it was all over that portion of the experience we went back

portion of the experience we went back

portion of the experience we went back the next year and amazingly within the

the next year and amazingly within the

the next year and amazingly within the first week of being back an entire herd

first week of being back an entire herd

first week of being back an entire herd of elephants showed up 22 elephants came

of elephants showed up 22 elephants came

of elephants showed up 22 elephants came to our fence and six of them fell asleep

to our fence and six of them fell asleep

to our fence and six of them fell asleep and I wasn’t going to miss the

and I wasn’t going to miss the

and I wasn’t going to miss the experience this time and the difference

experience this time and the difference

experience this time and the difference between going to a sitting or was

between going to a sitting or was

between going to a sitting or was approaching an individual elephant an

approaching an individual elephant an

approaching an individual elephant an entire herd is that the herd doesn’t do

entire herd is that the herd doesn’t do

entire herd is that the herd doesn’t do the mock charge I couldn’t imagine what

the mock charge I couldn’t imagine what

the mock charge I couldn’t imagine what that would be like and what I started

that would be like and what I started

that would be like and what I started doing is I learned – as I approached the

doing is I learned – as I approached the

doing is I learned – as I approached the elephant again all is without making eye

elephant again all is without making eye

elephant again all is without making eye contact as I approached the elephant I

contact as I approached the elephant I

contact as I approached the elephant I continued to lower myself until I got

continued to lower myself until I got

continued to lower myself until I got about three meters away and then I would

about three meters away and then I would

about three meters away and then I would just drop to my butt and then I could

just drop to my butt and then I could

just drop to my butt and then I could but scoot to within about 2 or 1 or 2

but scoot to within about 2 or 1 or 2

but scoot to within about 2 or 1 or 2 meters of the herd the herd seemed

meters of the herd the herd seemed

meters of the herd the herd seemed unperturbed by my presence I actually

unperturbed by my presence I actually

unperturbed by my presence I actually did this ten times in the summer of 2015

did this ten times in the summer of 2015

did this ten times in the summer of 2015 and it was absolutely an amazing

and it was absolutely an amazing

and it was absolutely an amazing experience I my wife took pictures the

experience I my wife took pictures the

experience I my wife took pictures the last time I did it people were hearing

last time I did it people were hearing

last time I did it people were hearing about my doing this and they wanted they

about my doing this and they wanted they

about my doing this and they wanted they came and they asked take pictures and I

came and they asked take pictures and I

came and they asked take pictures and I said no it was a private experience and

said no it was a private experience and

said no it was a private experience and the last day my wife unbeknown to me

the last day my wife unbeknown to me

the last day my wife unbeknown to me took some pictures and and here you can

took some pictures and and here you can

took some pictures and and here you can see again the head is always down and I

see again the head is always down and I

see again the head is always down and I and I choose not to not to stare not to

and I choose not to not to stare not to

and I choose not to not to stare not to stare at anything the other thing that

stare at anything the other thing that

stare at anything the other thing that happened and now I’m going over the edge

happened and now I’m going over the edge

happened and now I’m going over the edge here of being rational okay the elephant

here of being rational okay the elephant

here of being rational okay the elephant started parading their young past man

started parading their young past man

started parading their young past man and I would try and communicate with

and I would try and communicate with

and I would try and communicate with them with my thoughts and my thoughts

them with my thoughts and my thoughts

them with my thoughts and my thoughts were always you just have an absolutely

were always you just have an absolutely

were always you just have an absolutely beautiful family and they I don’t know

beautiful family and they I don’t know

beautiful family and they I don’t know where they learned to speak English but

where they learned to speak English but

where they learned to speak English but but today I am absolutely convinced that

but today I am absolutely convinced that

but today I am absolutely convinced that they were willing to show me their

they were willing to show me their

they were willing to show me their family because I was in love with them

family because I was in love with them

family because I was in love with them the other thing that happened and the

the other thing that happened and the

the other thing that happened and the guides told me this wouldn’t happen they

guides told me this wouldn’t happen they

guides told me this wouldn’t happen they denied that this could happen they

denied that this could happen they

denied that this could happen they accused me of being dishonest the

accused me of being dishonest the

accused me of being dishonest the elephant’s began lying down beside me

elephant’s began lying down beside me

elephant’s began lying down beside me and so I would lie down with them I

and so I would lie down with them I

and so I would lie down with them I would lie down with them I sleep with

would lie down with them I sleep with

would lie down with them I sleep with elephants we’re modern family and it was

elephants we’re modern family and it was

elephants we’re modern family and it was it was absolute than absolutely just an

it was absolute than absolutely just an

it was absolute than absolutely just an amazing experience and and the real

amazing experience and and the real

amazing experience and and the real question comes up what have we learn

question comes up what have we learn

question comes up what have we learn from the elephants what have I learned

from the elephants what have I learned

from the elephants what have I learned from this and I think that if you ask me

from this and I think that if you ask me

from this and I think that if you ask me that lesson in one word it’s that

that lesson in one word it’s that

that lesson in one word it’s that importance of humility the importance of

importance of humility the importance of

importance of humility the importance of humility people have asked me how to

humility people have asked me how to

humility people have asked me how to define humility and these are the some

define humility and these are the some

define humility and these are the some of the definitions I’ve come up with it

of the definitions I’ve come up with it

of the definitions I’ve come up with it that were not the center of the world

that were not the center of the world

that were not the center of the world that were not the centre of the world

that were not the centre of the world

that were not the centre of the world and I think I can get to the elephants

and I think I can get to the elephants

and I think I can get to the elephants because eventually they they taught me

because eventually they they taught me

because eventually they they taught me this kind of humble act to be in their

this kind of humble act to be in their

this kind of humble act to be in their presence and they’re willing to admit me

presence and they’re willing to admit me

presence and they’re willing to admit me into their presence if I do this

into their presence if I do this

into their presence if I do this the humility has actually changed the

the humility has actually changed the

the humility has actually changed the way I see life this concept of seeing

way I see life this concept of seeing

way I see life this concept of seeing life through a humble lens has really

life through a humble lens has really

life through a humble lens has really significantly changed the way I approach

significantly changed the way I approach

significantly changed the way I approach various things the first thing is I

various things the first thing is I

various things the first thing is I don’t think you can listen unless you’re

don’t think you can listen unless you’re

don’t think you can listen unless you’re humble arrogant people don’t listen

humble arrogant people don’t listen

humble arrogant people don’t listen because they already know the answer

because they already know the answer

because they already know the answer elephants have an amazing communication

elephants have an amazing communication

elephants have an amazing communication system they communicate in decibels that

system they communicate in decibels that

system they communicate in decibels that we can’t hear they also communicate by

we can’t hear they also communicate by

we can’t hear they also communicate by making noise through their through their

making noise through their through their

making noise through their through their mouths they communicate through their

mouths they communicate through their

mouths they communicate through their stomachs and they communicate through

stomachs and they communicate through

stomachs and they communicate through their feet there’s actually a theory

their feet there’s actually a theory

their feet there’s actually a theory that every elephant may know where every

that every elephant may know where every

that every elephant may know where every other elephant is in Africa because the

other elephant is in Africa because the

other elephant is in Africa because the way it feels the ground and they also

way it feels the ground and they also

way it feels the ground and they also teach you how to learn they teach you

teach you how to learn they teach you

teach you how to learn they teach you how to learn one of the things that I’ve

how to learn one of the things that I’ve

how to learn one of the things that I’ve come to be convinced I think it’s wrong

come to be convinced I think it’s wrong

come to be convinced I think it’s wrong to look at animals and say how they’re

to look at animals and say how they’re

to look at animals and say how they’re like us I think what we need to do

like us I think what we need to do

like us I think what we need to do I think that’s arrogant what we need to

I think that’s arrogant what we need to

I think that’s arrogant what we need to do instead is we need to learn to look

do instead is we need to learn to look

do instead is we need to learn to look at animals and say what can they teach

at animals and say what can they teach

at animals and say what can they teach us the elephants have an amazing thing

us the elephants have an amazing thing

us the elephants have an amazing thing that happens during the adolescence of

that happens during the adolescence of

that happens during the adolescence of many of the males the males are often

many of the males the males are often

many of the males the males are often removed from the herd because they cause

removed from the herd because they cause

removed from the herd because they cause too many problems and these elephants

too many problems and these elephants

too many problems and these elephants will wander around for one or two years

will wander around for one or two years

will wander around for one or two years often by themselves or in small groups

often by themselves or in small groups

often by themselves or in small groups until another herd adopts them and that

until another herd adopts them and that

until another herd adopts them and that second herd will bring the elephant in

second herd will bring the elephant in

second herd will bring the elephant in and but before it brings it in it will

and but before it brings it in it will

and but before it brings it in it will teach it appropriate behavior the

teach it appropriate behavior the

teach it appropriate behavior the elephant has to learn to behave

elephant has to learn to behave

elephant has to learn to behave appropriate to become a become a member

appropriate to become a become a member

appropriate to become a become a member of that hurt and you walk around our

of that hurt and you walk around our

of that hurt and you walk around our cities and you can see adolescents

cities and you can see adolescents

cities and you can see adolescents looking for a herd to be a member of and

looking for a herd to be a member of and

looking for a herd to be a member of and it shows why things like the YMCA and

it shows why things like the YMCA and

it shows why things like the YMCA and boys clubs and girls clubs and all of

boys clubs and girls clubs and all of

boys clubs and girls clubs and all of these organizations may be so important

these organizations may be so important

these organizations may be so important to us because in a strange way maybe

to us because in a strange way maybe

to us because in a strange way maybe they’re fulfilling that same function

they’re fulfilling that same function

they’re fulfilling that same function that second herd does the third thing is

that second herd does the third thing is

that second herd does the third thing is I think they actually teach you love all

I think they actually teach you love all

I think they actually teach you love all of my classes now I start out by talking

of my classes now I start out by talking

of my classes now I start out by talking about elephants last May I was in

about elephants last May I was in

about elephants last May I was in Singapore teaching a class that was

Singapore teaching a class that was

Singapore teaching a class that was mostly made up of Indonesians and was 70

mostly made up of Indonesians and was 70

mostly made up of Indonesians and was 70 percent Muslim and I was in the third

percent Muslim and I was in the third

percent Muslim and I was in the third the final day of the class and

the final day of the class and

the final day of the class and was a man these were businessmen and

was a man these were businessmen and

was a man these were businessmen and business women in the back of the room

business women in the back of the room

business women in the back of the room who hadn’t said anything for two days at

who hadn’t said anything for two days at

who hadn’t said anything for two days at the beginning of the third day he raised

the beginning of the third day he raised

the beginning of the third day he raised his hand and said can I say something

his hand and said can I say something

his hand and said can I say something and I said sure and he said the first

and I said sure and he said the first

and I said sure and he said the first thing you do is you come in and you tell

thing you do is you come in and you tell

thing you do is you come in and you tell me you’re from the United States

me you’re from the United States

me you’re from the United States he’s on no offense I don’t like the

he’s on no offense I don’t like the

he’s on no offense I don’t like the United States he said the United States

United States he said the United States

United States he said the United States be the consultants come over here and

be the consultants come over here and

be the consultants come over here and the first thing they do is they tell us

the first thing they do is they tell us

the first thing they do is they tell us how we should do something they never

how we should do something they never

how we should do something they never ask why we’re doing something in a

ask why we’re doing something in a

ask why we’re doing something in a certain way he’s the next thing you do

certain way he’s the next thing you do

certain way he’s the next thing you do is you tell me I need to be humble

is you tell me I need to be humble

is you tell me I need to be humble he said no offense again but I just

he said no offense again but I just

he said no offense again but I just don’t associate the United States with

don’t associate the United States with

don’t associate the United States with humility then he said you finally tell

humility then he said you finally tell

humility then he said you finally tell me I have to learn to sit with a herd of

me I have to learn to sit with a herd of

me I have to learn to sit with a herd of elephants and I looked at him and I

elephants and I looked at him and I

elephants and I looked at him and I interrupted him and I said you’re right

interrupted him and I said you’re right

interrupted him and I said you’re right I have I am from there and I’ve said

I have I am from there and I’ve said

I have I am from there and I’ve said those things well what’s your point

those things well what’s your point

those things well what’s your point and he looked at man he said I love you

and he looked at man he said I love you

and he looked at man he said I love you and I turned to him and said I love you

and I turned to him and said I love you

and I turned to him and said I love you too and we had the spontaneous applause

too and we had the spontaneous applause

too and we had the spontaneous applause from the class it was just absolutely

from the class it was just absolutely

from the class it was just absolutely amazing you know all of the great

amazing you know all of the great

amazing you know all of the great religions in the world advocate that to

religions in the world advocate that to

religions in the world advocate that to be a follower of that religion you have

be a follower of that religion you have

be a follower of that religion you have to be humble one of those religions

to be humble one of those religions

to be humble one of those religions Christianity contends that the meek

Christianity contends that the meek

Christianity contends that the meek shall inherit the earth

shall inherit the earth

shall inherit the earth I have this strange idea that maybe

I have this strange idea that maybe

I have this strange idea that maybe that’s the message the elephants are

that’s the message the elephants are

that’s the message the elephants are really trying to teach us thank