It was long day on November 6, when the JCB came over to expose rocks for breaking down. The work went on all day, moving from one tip of a rock-berg to another. Finally, past 5 pm and under fading light we moved to a spot close to the southern fence. Here was a low profile oval rock, about 2′ wide and 4′ long. Expecting to scoop out a large egg shaped rock, the operator began to excavate around the visible edges.

After an hour of steady work, the rock area had grown 5 fold and we had gone 4 feet deep all around. It was turning out to be a very large rock indeed. We were yet to expose it as a whole. After another half hour of scooping out, we were 6′ deep but could not define its extent. An odd, huge shape was emerging. It had been a long day and I had been on my feet most of the time. In such a state the mind can play tricks. So when I spotted two tiny separate springs of water suddenly show up, my mind was ready to exclaim: “Why, it’s an elephant in tears!” And I could not see it as just rock any more.

Darkness compelled us to give up our exploration. It was a large, large whole rock. “We can harvest 4,000 cubes from this single piece,” agreed everyone. I found myself strangely silent. The little springs were forming puddles, which were connecting up and soon the rock was surrounded by water. It was to me, an elephant rising from the deep.

“This rock is not to be blasted,” I found myself instructing. “Leave it alone. I want to dig a pond around this rock.” Kutty, Raju and the driver suddenly fell in with the mood. They agreed it did look like an elephant standing in a pond. So, I had not been too mystical after all.

By morning’s first light I was back there. It had already been christened the Elephant Pond. I saw it glowing in the gentle light. It was certainly an object that can transport you to a meditative state. I was glad I had the wit not to decide blasting it to pieces. Some stones are indeed precious.