Petit chosier

Au bon vieux temps des colonies, dans l'Inde britannique, les militaires paradaient, les éléphants défilaient.

It was then the custom for the elephants to salute as they marched past by raising their trunks, and this they all did with examplary precision. Later on the custom was abolished because vulgar people tittered and the dignity of the elephants or their mahouts was wounded. Later on still, the elephants themselves were abolished, and we now have clattering tractors drawing far larger and more destructive guns. Thus civilization advances. But I mourn the elephants and their salutations.

Winston Churchill, My Early Life