Six men of Hindustan

To learning much inclined

went to see the Elephant

Though all of them were blind

That each by observation

Might satisfy his mind

Satisfy his mind, satisfy his mind

Six men of Hindustan

To learning much inclined



Well the First approached the Elephant

And happening to fall

Against his broad and sturdy side

At once began to bawl

"God bless me!

But this Elephant is very like a wall!"



And 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!"



All of them were blind

All of them were blind

Six men of Hindustan

To learning much inclined



The Third approached the animal

And happening to take

The squirming trunk within his hands

Thus boldly up his spake

"I see," quoth he

"The Elephant is very like a snake!"



Then the Fourth reached out an 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!"



And the Fifth who chanced to touch the ear

Said: "Even the blindest man

Can tell what this resembles most

Deny the fact who can

This marvel of an Elephant is very like a fan!"



And the Sixth no sooner had begun

about the beast to grope

Seizing on the swinging tail

that fell within his scope

"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant is very like a rope!"



All of them were blind

All of them were blind

Six men of Hindustan

To learning much inclined

To learning much inclined



And so these men of Hindustan

Disputed loud and long

Each in his opinion

Exceeding stiff and strong

Each was partly in the right

but all were in the wrong



So often 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!