A group of blind men were once led to an elephant. Each man was led to a part of the elephant’s body, and was told, “This is an elephant.” Having been given time to inspect the elephant, each man was asked to describe an elephant. The man by the ears said, “An elephant is like a winnowing basket.” The man by the tail said, “It is like a snake,” and the man by a tusk said, “It is like a spear.”
After only a few more blind men described the elephant, they began to argue with themselves. While this was occurring, the elephant began to get wearisome of the dispute. Finally, he cleared his throat and said, “I am an elephant. It is true that I am many of the things you say, for you all have touched me. But I am much more than you can comprehend in your present places. Indeed, you are blind and even a full examination of my body could not reveal to you my strength, size, and beauty. If you like, I will describe myself to you, things about me that you cannot see. But since you cannot see, you will have to take me at my word what I say.”
The blind men were stunned into silence. This winnowing basket and snake had spoken! Some were awed and some were afraid. After some time, one man mustered enough strength to speak. “Did you hear that?” he asked to no one in particular. A young man answered, “Yes. It was the elephant. I am ashamed for thinking so small.” Another man sneered at that comment. “You foolish boy! The elephant can’t speak! You are frustrated with not being able to see the elephant, and so have convinced yourself of this story.” The young man was startled at this outburst. “But…but surely you heard the voice! It was crystal clear!” The older man laughed, mocking the young man. Soon all the blind men were arguing about whether or not the elephant spoke. After some time, most couldn’t decide if the elephant existed at all. Even the young man doubted his own ears.
Soon the blind men walked off, leaving the elephant and arguing more fervently than before. The young man followed in silence. He knew he heard the voice! After following the group for quite a distance, he stopped. Surely I heard the voice, he thought. So he turned around, left the group, and—though blind—set out in search for the elephant to see for himself.
