Does It Ring True?

Where phrases get fishy, facts get flexible, and stories sneak in wearing disguises.

Welcome to Does It Ring True? the series that serves you a story, stirs your imagination, and then pulls the rug out from under your assumptions. Each phrase we use every day—saved by the bell, cat got your tongue, the whole nine yards—might sound ordinary… until you dig into where it actually came from.

Here’s how it works:
First, we’ll tell you two stories, they could be funny, could be dramatic, could involve rogue raccoons or overly dramatic opera singers. It might sound just true enough to believe.
Then… we’ll hit you with the truth.
Because not everything that rings true is true.

So put on your detective glasses, grab a cup of curiosity, and get ready to separate the folklore from the facts.
Let’s see if you can spot the truth before we reveal it.

Bartholomew’s New Home

Professor Alistair Finch, a renowned but slightly eccentric ornithologist, found himself the unlikely recipient of a truly magnificent creature. During his expedition to a remote Himalayan valley in search of the elusive snow pheasant, he had inadvertently saved the life of a young, albino elephant calf trapped in a glacial crevice. The local villagers, considering the pale beast sacred and a symbol of immense fortune (albeit a rather demanding one), insisted that Professor Finch, as its rescuer, was now its rightful guardian.

Back in his modest Belfast, Maine cottage, Bartholomew, as Finch had affectionately named the elephant, became an immediate sensation. Bartholomew was undeniably charming, with his intelligent, pink-rimmed eyes and a surprisingly gentle demeanor. However, his appetite was legendary, requiring daily deliveries of hay that strained Professor Finch’s already precarious finances. Bartholomew also had a penchant for rearranging the professor’s meticulously organized study, often mistaking rare first editions for particularly crunchy snacks.

The townspeople were initially enthralled, bringing bushels of apples and posing for photographs. But the novelty soon wore off, replaced by the practicalities of sharing a small New England town with a rapidly growing elephant.

Bartholomew’s impromptu dips in the town’s water tower caused significant disruption, and his playful habit of uprooting Mrs. Higgins’ prize-winning petunias led to escalating neighborhood tensions.

Professor Finch, despite his affection for Bartholomew, realized the villagers in the Himalayas might have had a point about the “demanding” nature of his good fortune. He couldn’t possibly afford to keep him, and finding a suitable home for a near-mythical albino elephant in rural Maine proved an impossible task.

Bartholomew, the creature who had once represented a stroke of luck, had become a beautiful, gentle, but undeniably burdensome white elephant.

The King’s Gift

Long ago, in the lush, golden-palmed kingdom of Siam, the white elephant was a rare and sacred creature. To see one was considered a blessing from the heavens-a sign of divine favor and royal power. Only the King could own such a majestic beast, and its care was a lavish affair: golden harnesses, silken canopies, and attendants whose sole duty was to fan its ears and whisper calming lullabies.

One day, a royal courtier named Arun, once in the King’s favor, fell out of grace. Whispers in the palace claimed he had grown too proud, perhaps even plotting to outshine the King. But rather than cast him out or sentence him openly, the wise and cunning King chose a different path.

At a grand ceremony, the King summoned Arun and announced, “You have served the crown with such distinction that I bestow upon you the greatest honor of all-the gift of a white elephant.”

The court erupted in astonishment. A white elephant! Arun bowed deeply, hiding his confusion behind a tight smile. He could not refuse the King’s gift-no one could. To reject such an honor would be treason.

The elephant, named Suriya, was magnificent. Her ivory skin shimmered like morning mist, and her gentle eyes glowed with mystery. But Arun soon discovered the truth behind the royal gesture. Suriya was sacred. She could not work. She could not be used for transport or trade. And yet, her daily care required more coin than Arun’s entire estate produced.

As weeks turned to months, Arun sold his land to buy fruits and silks. He dismissed his servants to pay for veterinarians and ceremonial housing. Still, it wasn’t enough. His fortune faded like dew under the morning sun. Eventually, he was forced to beg the palace for relief-but the King only offered a knowing smile.

The gift had done its work.

Now, dear reader, which story do you believe to be the true origin of the phrase "white elephant"?

True Origin:

The term "white elephant" originates from the historical tradition in Siam (now Thailand). Albino elephants, while considered sacred and symbols of royal power and good fortune, were not allowed to work. They were revered and maintained at great expense by the monarch.

According to legend, if the King wished to bestow a dubious honor upon a courtier he disliked, he would present him with a white elephant. The recipient was obligated to accept the sacred animal, providing it with the lavish care befitting its status. However, the cost of feeding and housing such a large and unproductive creature would often bankrupt the unfortunate recipient, effectively leading to their downfall. Thus, the white elephant, while appearing to be a grand gift, was in reality a burdensome possession that brought financial ruin to its owner.

Is It True?

Fact or Fluff? Let’s Find Out!

You've probably heard people say, “Don’t swallow your gum—it’ll stay in your stomach for seven years!” Or maybe someone warned you that cracking your knuckles would give you arthritis, or that a goldfish can only remember your face for three seconds (rude!).

But here’s the thing… not everything we hear is actually true. Some of these sayings sound so believable that they’ve been passed down for generations—like whispered playground secrets or advice from your grandma’s, grandma’s grandma.

In this section, we’re going full myth-buster mode!
We’ll take 20 common beliefs and ask one big question:

Is it true… or just a really good story?

Each mystery kicks off with a fun scenario and ends with the real explanation. Some truths might surprise you. Others might make you laugh out loud. Either way, you’ll come away just a little bit wiser—and a lot more curious.

Ready to test what you think you know?

Let’s get curious. Let’s get clever.
Let’s find out what rings true.

Thank you for reading this sample—your curiosity matters.  ~ Savia