Blind Men & An Elephant

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Myst
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Blind Men & An Elephant

Post by Myst »

Somebody sent me a copy of this story(poem) many years ago. It resonates to me about spiritual learning and helps me to keep my mind open when communicating with others on these topics. Hope you enjoy it!   :D

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 approach'd 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 of the tusk,
Cried, -"Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear,
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"

The Third approach'd the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and 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 this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," -quoth he,-
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said- "E'en 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,
Then, 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,
And all were in the wrong!

MORAL,

So, oft in theologic wars
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean;
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!

The poem is attributed to John Saxe, written in the late 1860-1870's? There are versions of this in every culture, so you may have seen a different story, depending on where you live.   :D

Love and Peace,
Erin

p.s. Another one I like is one that John reminded me of in one of his posts...  ;D

Almost everyone will agree that there is only one mountain. Some say there is only ONE way to the top of that mountain (Enlightenment/Finding God/Etc). When one considers that there may be many ways up the mountain, who is to say what is the right path for another? We get along much better when we realize that each must choose their own way and everyone is right in their choosing.  :D

Love and Peace,
Erin
Last edited by Myst on Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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