There is an ancient Islamic tale about several blind men who encounter an elephant for

the first time. Each touches a different part of the elephant, but each is stubborn and

claims that he alone has grasped the true nature of the beast. One grabbed our gray

friend by the legs and then described the elephant as firm, strong, and upright, like a

pillar. To this the blind man who had touched the ear of the elephant objected. From

his perspective, the animal was broad and rough, like a rug. The third man had become

familiar with the animal�s trunk. He was astounded at the gross inaccuracy of the

others. Clearly the elephant was long and narrow, he declared, like a hollow pipe.

Each of the trio had come to know the elephant from a different perspective. Each was

blind to the beliefs of his fellows, and to the real nature of the elephant- not only

because of his physical limitations, but also because his initial encounter had led him

to think of the elephant in a certain way.

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