An Elephant for the Prinkip

"An Elephant for the Prinkip" by L. J. Stecher, Jr. is an imaginative science fiction novella set in the early 1960s that follows a delta class freighter captain on a bizarre mission. The story centers on Captain Bart Hannah, who must transport a live elephant named Beulah across the vastness of space to an alien planet. Humorous complications arise from the challenges of interstellar travel with such a large animal, including the delicate balance of the ship due to Beulah’s enormous appetite and the unexpected chaos her weight causes in the zero-gravity environment. The plot takes a comical turn when it is revealed that the alien Prinkip expected something completely different, leading to a funny twist in the captain’s obligations. Through witty storytelling, the novella presents a lighthearted view of space travel, exploring themes of flexibility and the unpredictable results of aspiration.