Ralph Helfer > Quotes

“Those of us who are in tune with nature and animals know it is our way of life, Bram. There is a connection to all living things, a vibration of Life. Animals were not given a power of choice. A lion does not try and eat legumes, nor an elephant meat. We believe the best way to communicate with nature, God, is through a liaison: the animals..... Nature hears one voice and obeys it. That is why ten or ten thousand birds may rise from the surface of a lake at the same time and yet never touch one another. Man only hears his own voice. He constantly bumps into another. Even his voice mirrors his erratic walk, jealousy, hate, ego, pride, lying, cheating. He makes his own judgements and falls prey to his greed. Remember, the moon is reflected on one drop of water as is the entire ocean-- so it is with God. He is reflected ins each living thing-- in a grain of sand as the entire shore, one star as the whole universe. Each animal as in all creatures. -Jagrat”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“A good teacher teaches what he has been taught. A wise one teaches what he has learned”
― Ralph Helfer as stated by Kalli Gooma, Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“Remember, the moon is reflected in one drop of water as it is the entire ocean-so it is with God. He is reflected in each living thing-in a grain of sand as the entire shore, one star as the whole universe. Each animal as in all creatures.”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“Trees are like people and give the answers to the way of Man. They grow from the top down. Children, like treetops, have flexibility of youth, and sway more than larger adults at the bottom. They are more vulnerable to the elements, and are put to the test of survival by life's strong winds, rain, freezing cold, and hot sun. Constantly challenged. As they mature, they journey down the tree, strengthening the family unit until one day they have become big hefty branches. In the stillness below, having weathered the seasons, they now relax in their old age, no longer subject to the stress from above. It's always warmer and more enclosed at the base of the tree. The members remain protected and strong as they bear the weight and give support to the entire tree. They have the endurance.”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“While we still have a chance, let us learn to respect the beauty of the beasts.”
― Ralph Helfer, The Beauty of the Beasts: Tales of Hollywood's Wild Animal Stars

“Deep in ourselves resides the religious impulse. Out of the passions of our clay it rises.

We have religion when we stop deluding ourselves that we are self-sufficient, self-sustaining or self-derived.

We have religion when we hold some hope beyond the present, some self-respect beyond our failures.

We have religion when our hearts are capable of leaping up at beauty,
when our nerves are edged by some dream in our heart.

We have religion when we have an abiding gratitude for all that we have received.

We have religion when we look upon people with all their failings and still find in them good; when we look beyond people to the grandeur in nature and to the purpose in our own heart.

We have religion when we have done all that we can, and then in confidence entrust ourselves to the life that is
larger than ourselves.”
― Ralph Helfer as stated by Kalli Gooma

“When man chooses to develop his innate power of communication with nature and therefore hear the voice, all will be right with the world – we will be as one. What you have been able to do with your Modoc is what man has been seeking for a long time. To communicate with nature through animals.”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“You know, Mo, I've been thinking of the Elephantarium lately. You remember Atoul, the white elephant? Well, he taught me that all things need to change form to live. When we die, we change into ashes, gases, things like that. They carry on until they change. The ashes may help a tree grow, the gases could mingle with others and become...something else! That means you and I are going to change and...ah....well..." His voice stuck in his throat. He stopped, cleared his throat, turned, and walked to Mo. He rubbed the soft leathery skin on the underside of her ear. "and you... You will become something greater and more wonderful than you can imagine! You will soar in the cosmos, become part of all things, you will sit at HIS side and help rule all of nature." Bram's whole being felt the impact... The thought of not being with her. "I will be waiting for you, okay? I'll meet you there.”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“Some people confuse the respect that has been earned by fear with the respect earned by love. They are not the same.”
― Ralph Helfer, The Beauty of the Beasts: Tales of Hollywood's Wild Animal Stars

“It’s ironic how committed Hollywood was (and remains) to this vision of lions as savage beasts, especially considering that there’s never been an animal who kills as viciously and indiscriminately as humans.”
― Ralph Helfer, Zamba: The True Story of the Greatest Lion That Ever Lived

“Katrina held Bram in her arms, speaking softly, reassuringly, as they approached baby Modoc.

This was an important moment, a beginning, for she knew the boy would spend his life with animals, especially elephants, and the meeting was of utmost importance. Neither the elephant nor the baby said a word. All was quiet as they looked at each other. Mo’s small trunk wormed its way up, reaching to the baby. As Bram leaned over, his little hand pulled loose from Katrina’s grasp found its way down toward the trunk. A finger extended to meet the tip of the trunk. Bram’s expression was one of curiosity; he felt the wet tip, Modoc moved her “finger” all around Bram’s hand, sliding it across each finger and the palm. A big tickle grin spread across Bram’s face, Modoc did her elephant “chirp,” a tear glistened as it ran down Katrina’s face. All was well. The future had been written.”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“said, “All life is…and cannot be judged good or bad.”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“A good teacher teaches what he has been taught. A wise one teaches what he has learned.”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“There is a connection to all living things, a vibration of Life. Animals were not given a power of choice. A lion does not try to eat legumes nor an elephant meat. We believe the best way to communicate with nature, God, is through a liaison: the animals.”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“A good teacher teaches what he has been taught. A wise one teaches what he has learned.” For”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“And if you fall, don't FRET, Mo.
The cains, the cranes, our LOVE will get you up.”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“And if you fall, don't FRET, Mo.
The chains, the cranes, our LOVE will get you up.”
― Ralph Helfer, Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

“Animals have attained such perfection in their existence, while man has never known such tranquility. I have always believed that animals listen to one perfect voice — nature’s voice — and do as it bids them. We, on the other hand, listen only to ourselves, and we do as we please. Our ego, our pride, is generally our instructor, instead of reality, intellect, or even common sense. We live our lives superficially, led by our personalities.”
― Ralph Helfer, The Beauty of the Beasts: Tales of Hollywood's Wild Animal Stars