For the parable, see here.
"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..."
And after bitter argument,
The elephant did speak.
Not loud but in a whisper to
one of these men most meek.
"These parts of me are one, you know,
if that is what you seek."
This man was truly stunned to hear
the beast speak thus and so,
though meek he was, he dared to ask
"Why me this truth you show?"
To which the 'phant did give reply,
"To let the others know."
Emboldened by the news he heard,
he sang aloud this call.
"The parts are one, this elephant
is not a tree or wall,
Nor spear nor snake nor fan nor rope
nor any thing at all!"
"He said to me, this elephant,
'I am one beast, it's true,
Now go tell all the others there,'
And so I'm telling you."
Replied a man from Indostan,
"You haven't got a clue."
"Each one of us is blind, you see,
and none can know the facts.
Your confidence is arrogant,
your manner has no tact.
Opinion is what we adore,
for evidence we lack."
Returning to the elephant,
Our prophet was so sad.
The elephant was wise to know
what anger that he had.
"Do not be too discouraged now,
my words will make you glad."
"Those who are blind will sometimes act
as though they cannot hear.
They do not know what joy is had
by listening to the ear.
But time will open up their minds,
So trust me, do not fear!"
1 comment:
How wild! Fr. Peter Knachuku paraphrased this very same poem in a homily when he was here a few years back. It sounded so neat coming out of him 'cause of the proud, deep, purr he had in his voice.
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