Check Out This Adorable Moment Of A Pianist Comforting A Rescue Elephant With Music
Music has a way of reaching places words cannot, and this story proves it in the sweetest way. A pianist in Thailand has spent years playing for rescue elephants, and one senior bull elephant in particular seems to have fallen completely under his spell.
Paul Barton performs classical pieces for elephants at a sanctuary, including animals that have lived through captivity and hardship. One of them, Mongkol, keeps wandering back to the piano whenever the music starts, turning an ordinary performance into something far more touching.
It is a small moment, but it says a lot about comfort, trust, and the strange power of a familiar melody. Read on.
Meet the pianist who performs for elephants
Paul Barton is a phenomenal pianist who also doubles as a wildlife enthusiast. However, don’t get too excited to listen to him perform because his preferred audience is usually four-legged.
Since 2011, he has been playing passages by Beethoven, Schumann, or Grieg for rescue elephants in Thailand. His music also provides healing for many elephants who have been rescued from the logging industry.
Healing Mongkol
Paul’s latest audience member is a senior bull elephant, Mongkol, who has been through a lot in the past.
He was recently rescued after spending his life in captivity. Like Paul’s other audience members, Mongkol was intrigued by his performances.
Mongkol enjoyed the sounds emanating from the piano so much that he would occasionally stop by the piano while taking a stroll to enjoy some classical music.
Occasionally, Mongkol, while strolling along the river, would stop by the piano. If we noticed him waiting, I would go over and play him a few slow classical pieces.
That kind of routine makes the whole scene feel even more personal.
Watch Paul as he performs for the majestic elephants
Paul wasn’t surprised to find how much Mongkol enjoyed his performances. This was because he usually performed for elephants residing at Elephants World, a sanctuary on the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
It also reminds me of Shirley and Jenny’s reunion, after 22 years apart as former circus elephants.
One of many
Many of the elephants in the sanctuary have experienced significant physical and psychological trauma due to their time in captivity. It turned out that classical music provided all the solace they needed.
It seems worthwhile to play piano music for elephants if they enjoy it-elephants that have had stressful lives and live in a world of darkness. Apparently, there is something infinitesimally wonderful in a piece of Beethoven that connects me to that elephant, and that feeling is otherworldly, Paul said.
It is hard not to smile at that kind of connection.
Healing one elephant at a time
If you didn’t believe in the power of music before, we hope you’re an unapologetic convert now.
Elephants are fascinating animals that need to be protected by all means necessary, and it’s wonderful to see Paul taking his time to ensure that these elephants are doing well.
Did you enjoy reading this story? Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments below.
What a gentle way to make an elephant feel at home.
Don’t miss Mario’s emotional goodbye, after he spent over two decades caring for giraffes.
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