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The Stolen White Elephant

The narrator relays a gentleman's account of being entrusted with a sacred white elephant from Siam for presentation to the British sovereign, only to have the animal stolen while quartered near New York. A meticulous, humorously self-assured detective, Inspector Blunt, conducts an elaborate investigation: issuing massive circulars and photographs, offering a large reward, and cataloguing absurd particulars about the elephant's dimensions, habits, and diet. The inquiry emphasizes petty details and bureaucratic routine, producing a series of comic misapplications of logic that satirize official procedure and detective methods.

By Mark Twain
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About This Book

The narrator relays a gentleman's account of being entrusted with a sacred white elephant from Siam for presentation to the British sovereign, only to have the animal stolen while quartered near New York. A meticulous, humorously self-assured detective, Inspector Blunt, conducts an elaborate investigation: issuing massive circulars and photographs, offering a large reward, and cataloguing absurd particulars about the elephant's dimensions, habits, and diet. The inquiry emphasizes petty details and bureaucratic routine, producing a series of comic misapplications of logic that satirize official procedure and detective methods.

About the Author

Twain, Mark portrait

Mark Twain

Mark Twain, the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American author and humorist known for his sharp wit and keen observations of human nature. Born in 1835, he gained fame with works that often explored themes of race, identity, and society in America. His most notable novel, "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," is celebrated for its innovative narrative style and profound social commentary. Twain's other significant work, "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," showcases his satirical take on the clash between modernity and medievalism. His legacy endures as a cornerstone of American literature, influencing countless writers and shaping the literary landscape.

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