The Stolen White Elephant

Summary

In the story «The Stolen White Elephant» by Mark Twain, a humorous tale unfolds about an Indian maharaja who sends a white elephant as a gift to the Queen of England. However, the elephant goes missing in New Jersey, USA, on its way to London. A detective agency is tasked with finding it, launching a large-scale operation. Throughout the search, numerous misunderstandings and comical situations arise, mocking bureaucracy and incompetence. Ultimately, the elephant is found, but it is already dead, rendering the entire operation futile. The story serves as a satire on the societal and governmental structures of the time.