The Blind Men and the Elephant (old Indian story I ripped from 80/10/10) It was six men ofTo learning much inclined,Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind.The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl:God bless but the ElephantIs very like a wall! The Second, feeling of the tusk Cried, Ho! what have we here,So very round and smooth and sharp? To me mighty clearThis wonder of an ElephantIs very like a spear! The Third approached the animal, And happening to takeThe squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up he spake:I see, quoth he, the ElephantIs very like a snake! The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee:What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain, quoth he;clear enough the ElephantIs very like a tree! The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: Een the blindest manCan tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can,This marvel of an ElephantIs very like a fan! The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope.I see, quoth he, the ElephantIs very like a rope! And so these men of Indostan loud and long, Each in his own opinionExceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right,And all were in the wrong MoralSo oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an ElephantNot one of them has seen
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 18:36:59 +0000
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