Some people say that less is more, but not 7-year-old Caleb. That’s why he made a jumbo-sized wish to be the honorary owner of an elephant.
Caleb, who is being treated for leukemia, has always wanted a pachyderm pal. But since elephants are less-than-ideal house pets, the best way for him to get his wish was to adopt an elephant. Wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma found an Asian elephant and arranged for Caleb to be his honorary owner.
The boy and his elephant bonded quickly over Caleb’s offerings of strawberries and donuts. After the two met, they were ready for a party to celebrate their friendship. Caleb introduced the elephant to his guests during a fun-filled wish party, complete with clowns, pony rides and tasty barbecue.
The elephant added some of his own fun to the celebration, showing off his sports and musical talents: He swatted a soccer ball around and played the harmonica with his trunk.
As the honorary owner, Caleb can visit the elephant at the sanctuary whenever he likes. After he had his wish granted in June, Caleb eagerly planned to bring more strawberries and donuts, plus some peanuts to feast on.
“I think we may have created a monster!” wrote Caleb’s mother, Shanna, to the Make-A-Wish Foundation after the wish.
Shanna said the experience was everything Caleb anticipated.
“The wish team did a terrific and spectacular job with a difficult wish,” she wrote. “We would not change anything.”
It’s sure to be a wish that Caleb will remember for a long, long time.
This page can be found at http://www.wish.org/stories/animals/animals/caleb_elephant
©2006 Make-A-Wish Foundation®
