[Nine]

Ah now see, I think in the Professor he's talking about an elephant as a metaphor for a man (himself) who appears strong but in fact isn't.

My basis for this is something he said before a performance of 'elephant' once, I forget which one. But he says he's fascinated by the idea of the elephant being the biggest and strongest creature known to man, and yet it is scared by a mouse.

So I think when he says 'what shakes the elephant' he means, how far can I be pushed before I get scared and run.