Daniel replies:

Here's something I never told before.  Everyone has a particular epithet or insult that gets to them.  I had a cruel father, who'd snarl """"little elephant!"""" at, to, and about me.  It hurt.  So when I was 26 I took off for Africa, and hung out with actual elephants.  They are pretty admirable and formidable, also wise.  And fat!  Round!  Beautiful.  So am I.