Toomai of the Elephants

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I will remember what I was. I am sick of rope and chain-
 I will remember my old strength and all my forest-affairs.
I will not sell my back to man for a bundle of sugarcane.
 I will go out to my own kind, and the wood-folk in their lairs.

I will go out until the day, until the morning break,
 Out to the winds 'untainted kiss, the waters' clean caress.
I will forget my ankle-ring and snap my picket-stake.
 I will revisit my lost loves, and playmates masterless!

© Rudyard Kipling