“Chang!Okay, so I have two books, one about a hurricane, Gullah, the other about a tsunami, The Night the Elephants Cried.Natural disasters are horrific alright, but they are mega-news and hidden away there is a brighter side. C’mon, Chang.No crisis, no plot, no conflict, no struggle.”
“I get it.Foreign adventure and heroism meet head-on in Thailand. So, how did you ‘hear’ about the elephants crying?Was it a trunk call?”
“Not exactly.Chang, teens today wouldn’t recognize the term “trunk calls,” which meant a call out of your local area.You had to book it and wait to receive it which was exciting.Tring …Tring …. Tring.
“But, to answer your question, I heard about the elephants on the internet, saw the tsunami on TV and did a whole heap of research.”
“I gotcha.Apparently, folks like the books, they are buying them.But you must remember, Lady Author Troubles, it’s the elephant’s story they’re after.”
“Sawsadee, that means Hello or Good-by in Thai.We Thai elephants are agreeably cordial.”
“Thank you, Chang.Now, you know that this blog is about more than elephants right?In fact it’s about books and ... "
“Stars?”
“Stars?”
“Remember what Beth, your editor said, ‘Shoot for the Moon.Even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.’Of course, we elephants are already there. Have you ever seen the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula?A nebula is a collection of interstellar dust and gasses.This nebula, with its dark tendrils, contains material for star formation.You might say it’s a nursery for young stars.”
“Wow!”
“We’d have to ask Mr. Brian Lula for permission for his picture but you can view it on the Astronomy Picture of the Day site at:http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap071018.html
“Chang, That's fabulous. What a site! And named after you! Amazing! You’re everywhere!"
