One day, three blind men happened to meet each other and gossiped a long
time about many things. Suddenly one of them recalled, “I heard that an
elephant is a strange animal. Too bad we’re blind and can’t see it.”
“Ah, yes, truly too bad we don’t have the good fortune to see the strange
animal,” another one sighed.
The third one, quite annoyed, joined in and said, “See? Forget it! Just
to feel it would be great.”
“Well, that’s true. If only there were some way of touching the elephant,
we’d be able to know,” they all agreed.
It so happened that a merchant with a herd of elephants was passing, and
overheard their conversation. “You fellows, do you really want to feel an
elephant? Then follow me; I will show you,” he said.
The three men were surprised and happy. Taking one another’s hand, they
quickly formed a line and followed while the merchant led the way. Each one
began to contemplate how he would feel the animal, and tried to figure how he
would form an image.
After reaching their destination, the merchant asked them to sit on the
ground to wait. In a few minutes he led the first blind man to feel the
elephant. With outstretched hand, he touched first the left foreleg and then
the right. After that he felt the two legs from the top to the bottom, and with
a beaming face, turned to say, “So, the strange animal is just like that.” Then
he slowly returned to the group. Thereupon the second blind man was led to the
rear of the elephant. He touched the tail which wagged a few times, and he
exclaimed with satisfaction, “Ha! Truly a strange animal! Truly odd! I know now.
I know.” He hurriedly stepped aside.
The third blind man’s turn came, and he touched the elephant’s trunk
which moved back and forth turning and twisting and he thought, “That’s it!
I’ve learned.”
The three blind men thanked the merchant and went their way. Each one was
secretly excited over the experience and had a lot to say, yet all walked rapidly
without saying a word.
“Let’s sit down and have a discussion about this strange animal,” the
second blind man said, breaking the silence.
“A very good idea. Very good.” the other two agreed for they also had
this in mind. Without waiting for anyone to be properly seated, the second one
blurted out, “This strange animal is like our straw fans swinging back and forth
to give us a breeze. However, it’s not so big or well made. The main portion is
rather wispy.”
“No, no!” the first blind man shouted in disagreement. “This strange animal
resembles two big trees without any branches.”
“You’re both wrong.” the third man replied. “This strange animal is similar
to a snake; it’s long and round, and very strong.”
How they argued! Each one insisted that he alone was correct. Of course,
there was no conclusion for not one had thoroughly examined the whole elephant.
How can anyone describe the whole until he has learned the total of the parts...?