Summary of Chapters 16- 29 "Modoc"

      In chapters 16-29 of "Modoc", the author, Ralph Helfer, emphasizes that although Bram and his elephant, Modoc are on the run from Mr. North in India, their unfailing love and trust gives them the power and courage to survive. When Bram wakes up in an Indian hospital after the shipwreck, he escapes the doctors' watchful eyes and sets out to find Modoc. He locates her in the Kismet Royal Elephantarium, a few miles away. As Bram nurses Modoc back to health, he becomes very good friends with the powerful maharajah, the renowned owner of the Elephantarium. Helfer notes that when Bram learns the circus owner, Mr. North is on a mission to re-claim Modoc as his own, he knows he must take Mo and escape deep into India. The maharajah proclaims Bram to be his favorite 'son' and gives him a medallion with the maharajah's royal family crest and Bram's name. Helfer explains that the crest is known and respected all throughout India and it will help him in his travels as he flees from Mr. North. Before Bram leaves with Modoc, the maharajah gives Bram the great honor to meet Atoul. Helfer informs the readers that Atoul is the quintessential elephant who has spiritual influence over the mind. He teaches Bram how to hear nature's voice, and to let it guide him in all aspects of his life. Bram leaves his new home at the Elephantarium and sets out to find the teak forests, where he can work as a mahout with Modoc and hide from Mr. North. When Bram and Modoc finally arrive at the teak forests, Bram is offered a test. In order to become a mahout, or elephant driver in the forests, Bram will have to perform a series of tasks to the star worker, Kalli Gooma's satisfaction. As Bram trains, he falls in love with a local girl named Sian. However, they cannot be married because of the difference in their religions. When Sian's father discovers the maharajah's medallion, he changes his mind and decides Bram is indeed worthy of his daughter and allows them to be married. Bram passes his test and becomes an assistant to Kalli Gooma to train to become a mahout. Helfer states that as the years pass and everything seems to be going perfect for Bram and Modoc, a group of rebels suddenly take over the village and force the townspeople to help them cross the mountains.

A mahout and his elephant in the teak forests

Helfer, Ralph. Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived. New York: HarperCollinsPublishers, 1997. Print.

Essential Question Blog Post

Essential Question:  Should animal abusers be punished more harshly?

Claim: Animal abusers should be punished more harshly because of the lasting, damaging effects on the animals.

Campaign to stop animal abuse

Reason:  Animals have lasting psychological effects of animal abuse. Some animals will be traumatized for the rest of their lives from their owners mistreatment. They may act hostility towards humans in general because of their distrust for their owners. Animals can become closed off to the world and lose the will to live. The only thing that can save them is stopping animal abuse. By making the punishments more harsh people will see that abusing animals is not worth it. The punishments must also be followed through with. The perpetrators must be shown that they will receive no leeway in their sentence and will not be let out of jail or prison early. Hopefully, by showing the public how harsh the punishments can be, animal abusers world-wide will realize the illegality and horrificness of their actions.