#AtoZChallenge E is for Elephants

A to Z Challenge 2020

Things to be Grateful For

is for Elephants




I love elephants, their shape, their faces and their general disposition.  They are very popular in fabric design.

Children love to read about them 

And they are a popular choice for artists

The fable of the six blind men and the elephant is a lesson in considering the views of those who come from a different perpective:

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 nothing but 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, '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,' quothe he, 'the elephant is very like a rope!'

And so these 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!

So, oft in theologic wars, the disputants, I ween,

tread on in utter ignorance, of what each other mean,

and prate about the elephant, not one of them has seen!

John Godfrey Saxe