If my intellect serves
me right, then I would authoritatively profess that; elephants are generally
known to be the largest land-living animals. Ranging all the way from
kindergarten to the highest level of education (if there may be) is a
well-established fact that elephants are indeed large, huge, great, big or better
still jumbo. Elephants are very strong and dangerous, and at their provocation can
bring down logs of trees with their trunks. On the contrary, Umbrellas are only
instruments for saving oneself from excessive sun scorch and rain. For the
purposes of this write-up, I would discuss the features, uses and benefits of
elephants as compared to an Umbrella.
To begin with, Sea
World Parks & Entertainment; an online animal guide portal describes the
African Elephant as follows: “African elephants are the largest of all farm
animals, adult males weighing between 1,800 and 6,300kg (2 and 7 tons/4,000 and
14,000 1b.). Females are smaller, weighing between 2,700 and 3,600kg (3 and 4
tons/6,000 and 8,000 1b.). Shoulder ranges between three and four m (9.8 and
13.1 1ft.)”. This to a large extent shows how large these creatures are, and for
that matter their strength. Elephants are so strong that, they can pull down
trees with their trunks. A leading wildlife journal, Elephant Forever reports
that; because of the elephant’s incredible capacity for knowledge,
understanding, learning and insight, they have proved to be most useful to
human beings. It has been supposed that India was the first place in which
elephants started to become trained for domestic purposes. Elephants were
trained and used in Warfare by the Indians, Chinese, and Persians. They were
used to scare off their opponents who rode horses. Elephants are also of
industrial importance such as slogging and lifting of heavy loads. Moreso,
elephants serve as a source of income through tourist attraction. Their ivories
were one of the most sought after commodities in the late fifteenth century to
mention but a few.
An umbrella or parasol on the other hand, is a folding canopy supported by wooden
or metal ribs, which is usually mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It
is designed to protect a person against rain or sunlight. The word
"umbrella" typically refers to a device used for protection from
rain. The word parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect
from the sun. Often the difference is the material used for the canopy; some
parasols are not waterproof. Umbrella canopies may be made of fabric or
flexible plastic. This definition is drawn from Wikipedia. The umbrella serves
as shield, guard or defence to natural intruders like the sun and rain. It is
also used for beautification and as an epitome of artistry. Its mass production
for exportation results in national income.
The earliest record of
elephants in the history of man was in Europe in 327BC where Alexander the
Great descended into India from Kush. He was quick to adopt the use of
elephants. After his death, his Ptolemy associate issued coins showing
Alexander on elephant as head address, and that became an emblem of the
Hellenized East. In comparison, the oldest reference to a
collapsible umbrella dates to the year 21 AD, when Wang Mang (r. 9–23) had one
designed for a ceremonial four-wheeled carriage.
The early times of
these two symbols can be said to be belonging to the aristocratic class. This
brings about competition among these two elements of society. This begs the
question; which of these symbolic factors can dominate over the other?
Boiling it down
to our locality; what can you make of these two elements in Ghanaian politics?
Your wonderful comments would help settle issues this piece aims to raise.
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