Six Blind Men of Industan

(Author Unknown)

It was six men of Industan 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, 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 it's mighty 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 and spake,

I see, quoth he, the elephant is very like a snake.

The fourth reached out an eager hand, 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 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 Industan 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.

So oft in theologic wars the disputants so keen

rail on in utter ignorance of what the others mean

and prate about an elephant that none have ever seen.