The Elephant and the Blind Men
Everyone who feels the elephant in the dark stable describes something different.
Tap a word to see it in Turkish · Long press to translate the whole sentence.
An elephant was brought from India to a city. Until that day nobody in the city had ever seen an elephant. They put the elephant in a dark stable. The curious went into the stable, but since they could not see in the dark, they felt the elephant with their hands.
One touched its trunk: "The elephant is like a thick pipe." One touched its ear: "No, the elephant is like a huge fan." One wrapped his arms around its leg: "You are wrong, the elephant is like a pillar." One touched its back: "The elephant is like a broad throne." One held its tail: "The elephant is like a rope!"
When they came out they began to argue. Everyone said that what they had felt was the truth, and got angry with the others. They even came to blows.
After telling this story, Rumi says: if each of them had held a candle, the difference in their words would have vanished.
If one day you argue with a friend, remember: perhaps you are both touching a different part of the elephant. Light a candle, and look together. The elephant's trunk, its ear and its leg are all true; the only mistake is knowing nothing but your own hand.
The tale ends here. Sleep well.
The Elephant and the Blind Men is a children's tale from Rumi, Masnavi, suitable for ages 5-10 and about 1 minutes long. Read it free on Masal Merkezi, play a lullaby or nature sound in the background, tap any word to see its Turkish meaning and save it to your favorites. For similar tales browse the Classic Tales category.
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