Wonderful friendship story, with so many bright moments on such a dark night. Beautiful character interactions too. I'll say again, I think you write interactions between these three the best of all of us. I especially loved this line:

"And if an elephant turns up," said LeBeau with one of his unique wide grins, "Kinch will alert us before it comes, the colonel will come up with a plan to get rid of it, Newkirk will pick its pockets and I'll cook him in a ragoût. I wonder which wine goes with elephant meat …"

I can just see that too.

Also, as an offbeat aside: According to To dream being afraid of the elephant suggests there's an enormous problem you're afraid to confront.

Not hard to believe in this case. That could be almost be it's own story.

"I think it would have been even better with a little ketchup."

That got me giggling - again!

I already reviewed the French version, and everything I said there still applies. But I'd just add one point I missed before, which is that, as a chronic insomniac, I can confirm you've completely nailed it.

I'm glad this one's getting the wider exposure it deserves. It's a truly beautiful piece of work.

dust...

*runs around in circles getting nosebleed blood everywhere*
I think I made it clear already just how much I love this, but...seriously, I love it. It's so dang cute/sad/cute sadness. Your writing style is so gorgeous, even ideas like "Carter has a nightmare about an elephant" end up having a real weight and humanity to them (and, for the record, I wouldn't trust anyone but you to pull off an idea like that-and ta-da! You did it!) All in all, it's perfect. :D

Chaos

This seems like a perfectly plausible way for Carter and Newkirk to have first made friends. Good job.

A truly lovely little story - so glad you translated it!

And the best of all: the cuisine part! Elephant ragout LOL And Carter with his ketchup comment really had me ROTFLAO!

Despite the comfortless surroundings and the time of year, there's a real warmth in this story, and some great insights regarding friendships that blossom under adverse circumstances. I love that Newkirk and LeBeau reached out to help ease Carter's distress even though they didn't completely understand it. And Carter's unconscious metaphor of the elephant destroying all he holds dear really rings true.

And the thought of the three of them huddled together for warmth on Carter's bunk while he told them of his fears made me smile. Because that's what HH is all about...underneath the humor and adventure, it's a story about friends who look out for each other.

Well, that was me, inadvertently posting as Guest, and I typed "ragout," not "raging," but auto spell is a sneaky little devil. Also loved Newkirk's comments about elephants from his circus days. Very fun, clever story!

What a cute little story. I loved the interaction between Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk (especially the Ketchup comment). Thank you so much for translating it for us.

Loved it. Really entertaining buddy story, with your trademark blend of wit, wisdom, and cuisine. Not that my mouth is watering at the idea of elephant raging. My favorite bit was Newkirk and LeBeau's befuddlement at Carter's reference to the upheaval and dislocation amid the Great Depression. I think you demonstrated that Carter is deeper than we give him credit for - and so, for that matter, are Newkirk and LeBeau.

This was a truly excellent friendship piece! It was also great to see all three of them sharing a conversation, instead of only Newkirk and Carter or Newkirk and LeBeau. Would love to see more like these.

That was a nice fic for a rainy day (welcome to summer in west coast BC!)
It's funny how random nightmares that so

Ah, sweet. I can understand why anyone there would have night mares or have trouble sleeping, all snoring aside- but as my mother always said anyone who has ever had any experience with sheep wouldn't try to count them to get to sleep: 1, 2, 3, needs crutching, 4, 5, hoofs need trimming, 6, 7, 8, fly strike, 9, 10... hang on there's a ram in the ewes! Damn, lost count, start again, and get that ruddy ram out! 1, 2, 3...
I love the interaction between the three of them, and the close friendship they have. Poor Carter spends so much time being ribbed, especially by Newkirk, that sometime you have to wonder that he doesn't have a complex. Still, you've shown why they are such good friends.
I am also unable to say "the greater good" for exactly the same reasons.