The Blind Man and the Elephant

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 very like 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, ~ Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant ~ Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out an eager hand, 
And felt about the knee.
"What most this wondrous beast is like ~ Is mighty plain," quoth her;
"'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," quoth 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!

Moral

So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant 
Not one of them has seen!

-John Godfrey Saxe 

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From http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/socialstd/grade7/india/Blind_elephant.html:

Background notes:
This poem is a newer version of an ancient Indian tale. John Godfrey
Saxe compares the Elephant to God, and makes the point that each
perspective, in this case about religion, has part of, but not the
whole truth. This statement on perspective has particular relevence
in India where there is a vast array of religions and points of view.
India's population is currently 950 million. It is inevitable that
there are strong differences and disputes about religion and
lifestyle. (Hinduism=82%; Islam=11%; Christianity=3%; Sikh=2%;
Buddhism, Jainism, & other=2%.) One of the fundamental themes in
world cultures is learning to understand different perspectives. 

In the poem, each blind man compares the Elephant to something
different (side=wall; tusk=spear; trunk=snake; knee=tree; ear=fan;
tail-rope,) because each one assumes the whole elephant is like the
part he touched/perceived/experienced. Saxe writes, "each was 
partly in the right." It is easy for each blind man to jump to
conclusions based on limited experience and first impressions.
Saxe is telling his audience not to assume you have the whole truth
just because you know one part of the truth. Don't rely on first
impressions to tell you all you need to know. If we share our
perspectives we will come to a more complete understanding of the
truth. Working together is more effective than working alone. 

Saxe's way of relaying his message is infinetly more memorable and
convincing because he used this story-poem-metaphor as a vehicle.
Stories are more involving, creating images and pictures. People
can remember and identify with Saxe's message because of the form
he chose to convey it.