In the last stage of World War II, Tokyo zoo staff decided to allow large zoo animals to die to prevent the chance of additional danger to people if the city were bombed. This melancholy account of an actual tragic happening has seen 70 printings in Japan since 1951. It is broadcast annually every August on Japanese radio and TV. (Age 12-adult)

A zoo keeper recounts the story of John, Tonky, and Wanly, three performing elephants that were starved to death at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo during World War II, and of their keepers, who weep and pray that the war will end so their beloved elephants might be saved. "A moving and powerful statement about the insanity of war".--"Horn Book". Full color.