It was a friends birthday in a few days and during a discussion in our regular beach shack, he mentioned ironically that for his birthday he would like an elephant.
This had been overheard by the shack owner and he know where he was staying.
On the morning of his birthday, there was a knock at the door and he opened it to be greeted face to face with his present, an elephant.
The shack owner had arranged for the religious chaps and their elephant to pay a visit.
On a trip back home via Mumbai after an Xmas & New Year break in Goa, I flew business class and was surprised by the more stringent than usual security before boarding.
Upon boarding the reason was apparent, sitting across the aisle in the front row was a member of the Indian cabinet with his PA sitting behind. The rest of business class was empty with his security entourage "manning" the curtain to economy.
Upon arrival at Mumbai, economy were held back whilst we departed the plane. I walked a few steps behind the dignitry and his PA whilst we all made our way through the airport. There were many salutes from uniformed personal. After walking for about 10 minutes he was lead to a VIP waiting to the right and I took my turn to the left for the way to the exit.
It was only then that I saw the rest of his entourage of about 20 people file past me. Not being aware of what was behind me I had mistakenly shadowed the dignitry yet not one of the security personal questioned my intrusion. Being of stocky build with sunglasses on, I must have looked like a bodyguard.