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The Parable of the Blind Man and the Elephant
It was six men of Indostan To 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 me, but the Elephant Is very like a wall!" The Second, feeling the tusk, Cried, "Ho! what have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis very clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!" The Third approached the animal And, happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up he spake: "I see," quoth he, "The Elephant Is very like a snake!" The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee: "What most the wondrous beast is like Is very plain," quoth he; "Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!" The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said, "Even the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can: This marvel of an elephant Is 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 Elephant Is very like a rope!" And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong. Though each was partly in the right, They all were in the wrong! by John Godfrey Saxe (1816 – 1887)