Once upon a time, a king ordered his officials: "Bring me an elephant and have several blind men feel it with their hands. Then ask each to describe its shape."
The officials brought the elephant. Several blind men surrounded it, touching it with their hands. The king asked them, "What do you think the elephant resembles?"
All the blind men strove to be the first to answer.
- One felt the elephant's tusk and said, "It resembles a long, long carrot."
- One felt its ear and said, "It resembles a dustpan."
- One felt its head and said, "It resembles a large stone."
- One felt its foot and said, "It resembles a stone mortar."
- One felt its back and said, "It resembles a bed."
- One felt its belly and said, "It resembles a water vat."
"Ha! Ha! You are all wrong," declared the last blind man, pulling the elephant's tail. "Let me tell you, the elephant resembles a long, thin rope."
Upon hearing this, the king and his officials all burst into laughter.