Bout de Zan Steals an Elephant

Bout de Zan is a very precocious young man! When the circus comes to town, he does what any kid might do in this situation–he steals the circus’ elephant!!! Later, he sits on the curb with the elephant and begs coins off people–with a sign saying ‘blind since birth’. I am not sure if this is supposed to mean the kid or the animal!