Studies have shown that most eyewitnesses of an event believe they have observed everything that occurred. And yet, the same studies reveal, not one witness can ever accurately recount the entire event.
Until we turn on the light of humility, we’ll all remain in the dark.
In that light (pun intended), here’s my version of the old Indian tale The Blind Men and the Elephant
Five men were led to an elephant
A beast they could never actually know
For nature had failed to give them eyes
To them all was darkness, above and below
And yet you may feel with your hands, they were told
So touch this creature and say what is true
“It’s as thick and as strong as a banyan root”
Said the first with absolute certitude
“False! It’s as thin as sisal twine”
Said the next as he felt the great animal’s tail
“Deceit!” cried the man who was touching its ears
“It’s as wide and as lithe as a Bengal boat’s sail”
“Cease your gibbering jokes!” said the fourth
“It’s as hard and firm as a plastered fence”
“Not so!” cried the fifth as he fondled its trunk
“It writhes like a cobra. You lack all sense!”
But then the one who had led them there
Said, “Behold, each sightless man is right”
“You lie!” averred a sighted observer
“Each is wrong!” Then he raised his fists to fight
“Wait!” cried a formerly silent onlooker
“It’s true that each of the men spoke truth
But only in part, and there’s the fault
For a partial truth has no earthly use
And in the end no person alone
Can ever be fully, finally free
So let us not fancy our vision complete
Until all together we learn to see”
Fun post, Mitch. A fitting tale of today’s discourse, and it’s always amazing what you can find out by gathering all liars in one room.
;>)
WoW. Beautiful and Powerful.
A wonderful metaphor for the broader idea that without humility—acknowledging our limitations and being open to other perspectives—we remain metaphorically “in the dark.” Humility allows us to recognize the gaps in our knowledge and seek a more comprehensive understanding.
Exactly, Willie, and thank you.
HePertinent
Mitch, love your version. We all need each other to help us see the entire picture and also discernment from God!
But, can it fly?
The Blind Men and Dumbo? Sounds like a Disney sequel just waiting to be made, Rob!
You can thank me for the inspiration in the film’s credits when you get it produced!
I love this, Mitch. 😀
Speaking of the elephant in the room, your 5th from the last line reads: ‘For a partial truth has no earthly us’ — I believe you meant to say: ‘For a partial truth has no earthly use’ 😉
Yes–fixed it! So glad you caught that typo, sis!
Very true and wise, Mitch. 💕
Great post
Thank you, Lalita.
Excellent re-telling of an old favorite! LOVED it! -Janet Oldfield
Thanks, Janet!
“Banyan root,” “sisal twine,” “Bengal boat,” “plastered fence” — these phrases capture me. I relish the zany tone of the piece.
Thanks, Jim.
The only problem I have with the elephant metaphor is that many in false religions use it to claim we all have our own “truth” about God and that we are all correct. The argument goes that God is too big for any religion to be exclusively true.
However, though we must be humble, we must also be truthful: truth-full.
The sighted one who led the sightless men to the elephant could be compared to Jesus who revealed the full truth of what God is.
Wisdom and humility, lovely!
My favorite story to illustrate how we differ drastically in what we focus on because of our personalities….those that are focused on tradition and the comfort of the known, those that focus on possibilities to make things better. Those that need laws set in concrete to feel secure/virtuous and those that focus on the love of all that Jesus fleshed out in his life journey. We see differently, we trust different things, we speak different languages and live literally in different worlds next to each other.
Well said, my friend.
I love this!! Thank you for sharing this link on Ann’s blog! I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately in light of Ephesians 1:10. Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Katie!