Free Ralph Helfer by Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived Page B

how to say their goodbyes. When the last car neared the crest, Bram nudged Mo and headed for the cemetery.
    Bram had asked if Modoc could be there. Katrina had called the new owner, but could not get permission from him for Mo’s attendance until Herr Gobel intervened and persuaded the American buyer. Katrina figured it was Gobel’s guilt at abandoning his circus family so abruptly that made him do it.
    Bram and Gertie both dressed in black. Together they’d made a huge black ribbon for Modoc’s neck. A spray of wildflowers from the field was fixed to a twig of tamarind and hung down her forehead. Bram slid off and then helped Gertie down. Brushing off her dress, Gertie took her place by her father; Bram stood with his mother.
    The calliope began to play its oom-pah-pah as the rabbi gave the sermon. Bram had never been to a funeral before, and found it hard to believe his father was lying in that long, shiny box. Bram knew that wherever his father was, he would look out for his family.
    As Bram helped his mother place some flowers on the coffin, Mo, on a signal from Bram, reached up and took the flora off her forehead, stepped forward, and placed it on the coffin with the others.
    The sun fell behind a cloud and did not reappear for the rest of the day. The weather turned cold, and shivering against a gray sky, they lowered Josef into the ground. Katrina’s soft sobs were joined by many others who mourned Josef’s passing. Bram could not cry. Instead a hard, tight ball of hurt filled his stomach, and his teeth and jaw hurt from clenching them unknowingly.
    As the music of the calliope drifted over the hills, there came the lone trumpeting of an elephant who, in her own way, was saying goodbye to her friend in his final resting place, the little cemetery in the hills of Germany.

10
    N EWS ARRIVED FROM THE PORT that The Ghanjee from India had docked and was being readied to receive its circus cargo. The day for boarding was getting closer. Bram heard that Mr. North was coming to the circus grounds before leaving on a boat that would precede the Indian ship to America. This would be his last chance to speak to the new circus owner.
    It wasn’t long before the big black limo appeared. As he walked around, the owner seemed to be in a pleasant mood, greeting his employees, shaking hands with most of the people.
    “Afternoon, Mr. North,” said Bram, determined to put his best foot forward.
    “Good morning, young man. Aren’t you the son of the old elephant trainer who just passed away? Pity, but we all have to pay our dues someday.” Mr. North started to move on.
    “Excuse me, sir, if I may.” Bram extended his hand as thoughto stop Mr. North, but a quick look from North dropped that hand immediately.
    “Yes? What is it?” North replied in a somewhat bothered tone.
    “I would…like to go with you…I mean, Modoc…that is, the animals. To the United States.”
    “How old are you, boy?” asked North.
    “I’m just turning sixteen, sir, and am a bit mature for my age. My father showed me everything to do with Modoc…I mean, Jumbo, and, well…I could do it if you would give me a chance.”
    Mr. North gave Bram a long, steady look. “No,” he replied, and started to walk away.
    “But, sir, I…”
    “No was my answer. Now excuse me.”
    “But why?” Bram shouted after him, but Mr. North never turned his head around as he replied, “Let’s just say because you’re not one of us.”
    Bram stood there, rooted to the spot. “What? What kind of reason is that?” he shouted after Mr. North.
    “He’s prejudiced, son,” said a voice from behind. Bram turned to find a man standing behind him.
    “What does that mean?” asked Bram.
    “Prejudice means one kind of person doesn’t like another kind of person.”
    “Even if they don’t know each other?” asked Bram.
    “That’s right. They can dislike them for their color or religion or just for being from a different country.”
    “You sound American,”