3. A Living Reality

3. A Living Reality

The Six Blind Men of Hindustan

There were six men of Hindustan, to learning much inclined,
Who went to see an 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,
"This mystery of an 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 approached the elephant, 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 above the knee,
"What this most wondrous beast is like is very plain" said 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,
Than seizing on the swinging tail that fell within his scope;
"I see," said he, "the elephant is very like a rope."

So six blind men of Hindustan 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.