BB, that reminds me of a story I read, gawd, I think it was in Reader's Digest, years ago. Some children went to the circus. Outside the big top they were visiting the elephants. One of the children was autistic (if I remember right) and began screaming and acting out. Suddenly, one of the old mama elephants reached over and picked him up in her trunk, cradling him. As everyone watched in horror at what they expected to happen, she surprised them all by gently rocking him back and forth until he'd calmed down and became content. She knew exactly how to reach that child and help him.

I always found that moment in Dumbo sad, too.