December 12, 2010
It's very early on a cold morning in New York. The sun is just starting to come up as I stroll along a mostly deserted Central Park West. Something unusual catches my eye as I wander into the park; a long line of elephants, seemingly unaccompanied by any human beings, snakes its way to the other side of the park.
It takes me quite a while, but I follow their serpentine line until I reach the East side of the park. Several reporters and TV crews are gathered beside a large tent where the elephants seem to be heading. A familiar woman rides atop one of the elephants. It's a smiling Gladys Knight who extends her hand and gestures for me to join her. Without much fuss I climb aboard and straddle in behind Gladys.
Our elephant strides into the tent with an imperial grace as Gladys and I sing "Jingle Bells."
