________________
46
to touch the elephant so that they may be able to make out what the elephant could be like. They were permitted to do so. Therefore, each of them began feeling the elephant. The first .amongst them happened to come across its ears, so he stated that the elephant was like a huskweeding tool (Supada which is very similar in shape to an elephant's ear). The other caught hold of its trunk and stated that to him it .appeared like a big wooden pestle. The third who came across the tusks stated "To me it looks like a big windpipe." The fourth touched the legs and said "To me it looks like a big pillar." The fifth felt the stomach and said "To me it it appears like a water-bag." The sixth had the tail in his hand and said "To me it looks like a broom."
Thus each of these blind men thought that his version was right and others were wrong. Each began to allege that he only was right and accused others of falsehood, and began fighting amongst themselves.
The caretaker of the elephant was all this time attentively following the talk of the blind men. He now came near them and began to say "Gentlemen why are you quarrelling amongst
