THE ELEPHANT AND HIS SON

 The Elephant and his son were spending an evening at home. Elephant Son was singing a song.
"You must be silent," said Father Elephant. "Your papa is trying to read his newspaper. Papa cannot listen to a song while he is reading his newspaper"
"Why not?" asked Elephant Son.
"Because Papa can think about only one thing at a time, that is why," said Father Elephant.
Elephant Son stopped singing. He sat quietly. Father Elephant lit a cigar and went on reading.
After a while, Elephant Son asked, "Papa, can you still think about only one thing at a time?"
"Yes, my boy," said Father Elephant, "that is correct."
"Well then," said Elephant Son, "you might stop thinking about your newspaper and begin to think about the slipper that is on your left foot."
"But my boy," said Father Elephant, "Papa's newspaper is far more important and interesting and informative than the slipper that is on his left foot."
"That may be true," said Elephant Son, "but while your newspaper is not on fire from the ashes of your cigar, the slipper that is on your left foot certainly is!"
Father Elephant ran to put his foot in a bucket of water. Softly, Elephant Son began to sing again.

Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation.