Instead of telling 4-year-old Colin that his toy elephant, Fezzik, had gotten lost, his parents decided to tell their son that the stuffed animal was simply traveling the world.
Losing a favorite toy can be a devastating experience for a child, so to make sure their story was especially convincing, Colin's parents turned to a friend of theirs, who posted a photo of Fezzik on Reddit along with his backstory.
Redditors immediately responded by digitally inserting Fezzik anywhere and everywhere you can imagine, all around the world.
Thanks to the quick and creative minds on Reddit who are incredibly handy with Photoshop, Colin's parents were able to turn a sad moment into an incredible global journey and learning experience for their son.
Here are 15 of the most exotic locales Fezzik the Elephant visited:
1. Here he is in France. Ooh la la!
Image by Astrophysicyst, used with permission.
2. Here he is walking across the Great Wall of China.
Image by Astrophysicyst, used with permission.
3. Fezzik danced the hula in Hawaii.
Image by Astrophysicyst, used with permission.
4. And enjoyed a gondola ride in Italy.
Image by versachh, used with permission.
5. Fezzik hung out with Paddington Bear — another famous lost stuffed animal — in London.
Image by Astrophysicyst, used with permission.
6. And got to chill with a tiger at the Taj Mahal in India.
Image by Astrophysicyst, used with permission.
7. Fezzik even found time to go skydiving!
Image by abw, used with permission.
8. Here, Fezzik found himself among monks in Cambodia.
Image by kungfujohnjon, used with permission.
9. Before traveling to Egypt to see the pyramids.
Image by Astrophysicyst, used with permission.
10. And climbing the stone walls of Machu Picchu.
Image by Astrophysicyst, used with permission.
11. And sailing the ocean in Norway as a viking.
Image by Astrophysicyst, used with permission.
12. Finally, Fezzik found himself back with other elephants, like this one at Disney World.
Image by criticalg, used with permission.
13. And these elephants, wild like he was always meant to be.
Image by criticalg, used with permission.
14. Fezzik even found a fellow elephant interested in playing a lively game of soccer.
Image by criticalg, used with permission.
15. Even though Fezzik was miles away from Colin, Colin could sleep easily at night knowing that wherever Fezzik was, he was loved.
Image via criticalg, used with permission.
The family friend who posted the original request told everyone who participated in the Photoshop battle how moved Colin's parents were by their generosity and incredible pictures.
Colin's mom even wrote on Reddit to say that he's already begging to go to the library to check out books on places Fezzik visited on his many adventures.
This was a great way to turn a moment of loss into a positive learning experience for their son. Fezzik's adventures around the world prove there are ways parents can lessen the blow when it comes time for their child to let go of a toy or object that provides them with a sense of comfort.
Think of it as losing a special friend but gaining an exciting sense of adventure.
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.