Summary
Highlights
Max introduces the idiom 'the elephant in the room' and questions what it would be like to literally live with an elephant. He embarks on a 7,000-kilometer journey to India to find out, unexpectedly joined by the threat of other guests: tigers.
Max reveals his roommate is Tara, a 70-year-old elephant rescued by Belinda Wright and her family in 1989. Tara now lives a life of leisure at Kipling Camp, enjoying daily walks, baths, and consuming 300 kilograms of food daily. Max arrives after a long journey to meet Belinda and Tara.
Max meets Tara for the first time, noting her immense size. He decides to make a good first impression, understanding that the way to an elephant's heart (and stomach) is through food. He helps prepare Tara's 'enormous' meal.
Max commits to spending 24 hours with Tara, following her routine, which includes walks in the jungle. He learns that the area has a high percentage of wild tigers, which frequently come close to the camp. Max is nervous during their walk and discovers camera traps for tigers.
After a long jungle trek, Max prepares for his first night alone with Tara. Belinda gives him a safety briefing about tigers. Max spends the night sleeping next to Tara and wakes up to her rather smelly morning routine, which involves cleaning up a lot of poop.
Max is called by Belinda to see something about 20 meters from his room: an enormous tiger. He learns that the tiger would have noticed him, making him realize the privilege and terror of sleeping outside in such a wild environment.
Max's time with Tara is ending, and the ultimate test of their bond is bath time. Tara is particular about her bath, and Max needs approval to join her. Belinda discusses the conservation efforts at Kipling, highlighting the impact of habitat destruction on both elephant and tiger populations.
Max is finally allowed to join Tara for her swim, where he reflects on the incredible experience and the importance of wildlife. He praises Tara's kind, intelligent nature. Max then promotes his new company, 'The Silly Company,' which launches on October 21st, 2022, selling limited-edition silly products, starting with his own line of Cubitts glasses.