Retiring Elephants

The string of colourful cloth elephants have walked with me for a long time. Together, we have trekked and plodded through life. We have journeyed many miles, across lands and kingdoms, through rain and wind and sun. It's no wonder they want to retire.
Today, the sun is smiling, the wind is fair. A perfect spring day. The red one, the mother, at the top, nods. Its time.
I reach for the scissors, cutting the string. Each one steps onto carpet soil, ready for a new adventure. I watch them go, a little sad. But I know they'll be happy.