Редьярд Джозеф Киплинг - Her Majesty's Servants (Unabridged)

On the night before a British military parade for the Amir of Afghanistan, the army's working animals – mule, camel, horse, bullock, elephant – discuss what they do in battle and how they feel about their work. It is explained to the Afghans that men and animals obey the orders carried down from the Queen.