Elephant Goad

Not to be confused with mahout.
== Meaning ==
n. A long, metal rod with a tip sharp at one side and blunt the other. Historically used in the domestication of elephants, traditionally, the elephant trainer would use this to guide the elephant, ocassionally striking the elephant with this tool. This has, however, gained controversy.
== Synonyms ==
ankus
bullhook
elephant guide
== Related words ==
elephant
mahout
== In culture ==
The Hindu elephant god, Ganesha is depicted to bear a golden elephant guide.
== Literature ==
In Rudyard Kipling's story, The King's Ankus, Mowgli finds the well-decorated elephant guide as depicted in the title in a hidden treasure chamber. Not knowing its value, he leaves it in the jungle. However, this leads to greed and murder to those who find it after him.