Six men of Indostan

[inavalan]

SIX MEN OF INDOSTAN


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 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 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 his 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,
Than seizing on the swinging tail
⁠That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
⁠Is very like a rope!"


And so the 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!

(John Godfrey Saxe.)

[Deb]

Love it! Over the years I've seen a very watered-down version of this, maybe TWO blind men, etc. It's nice to see it in its entirety.

I love the last stanza. Too true. "Walk a mile in my shoes" as well.