Elephants have soft pads on their feet rather than hooves and they walk quite silently for their size. They also have toenails, which get worn down because they walk a little bit forward on their tippy toes.
It is truly amazing to me that such a giant animal lumbers quietly around on soft, albeit tough, padded feet.
PK Photography 
Recently, I’ve learned how elephants are great teachers of loving kindness and compassion.
They are good mothers, nurturing and protecting their young. The family is matriarchal. But they can be dangerous and destructive too. I heard both sides when I was in Africa.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge drawn from experience.