In the story, the narrator is reluctant to shoot the elephant. However, he does so after realizing that his reputation among the local populace depends on him doing so.

To shoot the elephant, the narrator uses an elephant rifle, which he borrows from a friend. Upon the first shot, the elephant sustains obvious damage but does not fall.

It sags to its knees and remains standing. The narrator then fires a second shot. Instead of falling, the elephant rises with great effort to its feet. Upon the third shot, the elephant finally falls. It is then that the elephant trumpets. This is the first time the narrator hears the elephant express pain and bewilderment at its predicament.

Undeterred by the narrator's glum mood, the local populace rushes forward. The people are jubilant that the elephant has been shot. With the great creature dead, its meat can be used for food.

However, as the narrator approaches the elephant, he realizes that the elephant is still breathing. It is obvious that it is in great pain. Seeing this, the narrator tries to put the elephant out of its misery by firing two more shots into the elephant's heart.

Still, the animal does not die. Frustrated, the narrator sends for his small rifle and fires "shot after shot" down the elephant's throat. Finally, the narrator can stand it no longer and walks away. He later learns that the elephant took half an hour to die.