The Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant originated in ancient India probably around the time that the Buddha’s teachings were beginning to spread around the region.
This story is a perfect way to kick-off a discussion about people with differing opinions. In our very divided society today, it is helpful to return to stories like this one to remind ourselves of our limitations and the need to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. For older kids, the story is a great way to start a discussion about politics and social media.
There are many different versions of the story, but here is a version I wrote to share with kids along with some discussion questions:
The Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant
A group of blind men walk up to an elephant for the first time.
One man holds the trunk and says, “This animal is like a snake.”
Another man holds the ear and says, “It is like some kind of fan.”
Then the third man grabs the leg and says, “No, it is like a sturdy tree trunk.”
But the fourth man touches the side of elephant and says, “It is like a wall.”
The fifth man pulls on the elephant’s tail and says, “It is just a rope.”
Finally, the sixth man wraps his hand around the tusk and says, “Be careful. It is like a spear.”
Then the men begin to argue about which one of them was right about the elephant. The argument becomes so heated that they begin to fight one another until finally a man who can see comes along and explains to all what the elephant actually looks like.
Blind Men and the Elephant Discussion Questions
- Why did the blind men get into a fight?
- What are some topics people see differently today that lead to arguments?
- What are some opinions that you have that might be limited by your experiences?
- How could the blind men have avoided the argument?
- What are some ways we can look at the big picture and see everyone’s opinions about an issue?
DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THIS STORY AND QUESTIONS
Download a PDF of this story along with the questions for reflection or discussion.
