The Elephant in the Dark

پیل اندر خانهٔ تاریک بود

An elephant was in a dark house;

عرضه را آورده بودندش هنود

some Hindus had brought it there to put on show.

از برای دیدنش مردم بسی

To see it, many people,

اندر آن ظلمت همی شد هر کسی

one after another, went into that darkness.

دیدنش با چشم چون ممکن نبود

Since seeing it with the eye was not possible,

اندر آن تاریکیش کف می‌بسود

each felt it with the palm of his hand in the dark.

آن یکی را کف به خرطوم اوفتاد

One man’s palm fell upon the trunk;

گفت همچون ناودانست این نهاد

he said, ‘This creature is like a water-spout.’

آن یکی را دست بر گوشش رسید

Another’s hand came upon its ear;

آن برو چون بادبیزن شد پدید

to him it seemed to be a fan.

آن یکی را کف چو بر پایش بسود

Another, when his palm touched its leg,

گفت شکل پیل دیدم چون عمود

said, ‘I found the elephant’s shape is like a pillar.’

آن یکی بر پشت او بنهاد دست

Another laid his hand upon its back

گفت خود این پیل چون تختی بدست

and said, ‘Why, this elephant is like a throne.’