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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
 Posted - 18 May 2007 : 13:13:41
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Thanks to my primary school teachers, Edu Daliah and Michael Joe Faye (R.I.P Faye). I had the opportunity to memorize this poem at the time (1992.) John Godfrey Saxe's is a living reference at times of arguments, where divergent opinions are forwarded on one topic. I thought i could share with the poetry lovers.
http://www.noogenesis.com/pineapple/blind_men_elephant.html
John Godfrey Saxe's ( 1816-1887) version of the famous Indian legend,
It was six men of Indostan,
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The First approach'd the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"
The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, -"Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear,
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"
The Third approach'd the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," -quoth he- "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"
The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
And felt about the knee:
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," -quoth he,-
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said- "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"
The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," -quoth he,- "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!MORAL,
So, oft in theologic wars
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean;
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 13:13:41
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Thanks to my primary school teachers, Edu Daliah and Michael Joe Faye (R.I.P Faye). I had the opportunity to memorize this poem at the time (1992.) John Godfrey Saxe's is a living reference at times of arguments, where divergent opinions are forwarded on one topic. I thought i could share with the poetry lovers.
http://www.noogenesis.com/pineapple/blind_men_elephant.html
John Godfrey Saxe's ( 1816-1887) version of the famous Indian legend,
It was six men of Indostan,
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The First approach'd the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"
The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, -"Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear,
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"
The Third approach'd the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," -quoth he- "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"
The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
And felt about the knee:
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," -quoth he,-
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said- "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"
The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," -quoth he,- "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!MORAL,
So, oft in theologic wars
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean;
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!
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"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 14:34:00
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I am wondering whether Mr gambianpatriot will also be willing to publish criticisms of his views in his own blog. You know, bit of accommodation for dissent. That will be so cool.
Please advice.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 18 May 2007 14:34:53 |
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Nyarikangbanna
United Kingdom
1382 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 14:34:00
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I am wondering whether Mr gambianpatriot will also be willing to publish criticisms of his views in his own blog. You know, bit of accommodation for dissent. That will be so cool.
Please advice.
Thanks |
I do not oppose unity but I oppose dumb union. |
Edited by - Nyarikangbanna on 18 May 2007 14:34:53 |
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Bronx
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 17:35:29
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Nyarikangbanna,
I think the blog has a comment section that is not moderated where people can dissent to their hearts content. Check it out.It is more transparent than sending it to the site owner for publication. |
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Bronx
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 17:35:29
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Nyarikangbanna,
I think the blog has a comment section that is not moderated where people can dissent to their hearts content. Check it out.It is more transparent than sending it to the site owner for publication. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 17:59:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Janyanfara
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
[quote]Originally posted by kondorong
For me, there are three types of truths: My TRUTH, YOUR TRUTH AND THE TRUTH.
NO NO NO !!! thats NOT right there is only ONE truth and thats:
THE TRUTH
,Nothing else.
Hey Hey,
Let us think carefully about what my learned friend meant!
My/our truth, Your/their truth, or the real truth!
This is real education and I belief only those with eyes can see and those with ears can hear and those with mind can think.
My friend Con, you are a master.Please one day we may need you in the Gambia to teach our kids.
For I learnt that now a days in the Gambia, Our kids are forced to observe so much public holidays (the likes of Operation "klen" d nation(though that happens on saturdays, but think of the Ahmadiya schools who go to school on such days?), Operation "mony" is better than learning, Operation patriotic march, operation solidarity march,operation thanking the Head of State, Operation welcomming the president ect ect.) that they barely learn any thing through our the year.This is real evident as you can now see a "grade twelve student" not knowing barely anything at all.Maybe Operation picnic everytime for all would come soon.
God forbid!
I have learnt from you again today.
Peace
Janyanfara
I think you got it Jayangfara.
The three truth is not my definition. I am only telling what really obtains in life. That is why you have a plaintiff, a defendant and the judge or in some cases a Jury. Each of these three claim to know the truth or are telling the truth and yet they never agree on what is the truth. Each side claims to have the truth.
Toubab2010 i hope you see where i come from regarding the three types of truth. Jayang good to see you back. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 17:59:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Janyanfara
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
[quote]Originally posted by kondorong
For me, there are three types of truths: My TRUTH, YOUR TRUTH AND THE TRUTH.
NO NO NO !!! thats NOT right there is only ONE truth and thats:
THE TRUTH
,Nothing else.
Hey Hey,
Let us think carefully about what my learned friend meant!
My/our truth, Your/their truth, or the real truth!
This is real education and I belief only those with eyes can see and those with ears can hear and those with mind can think.
My friend Con, you are a master.Please one day we may need you in the Gambia to teach our kids.
For I learnt that now a days in the Gambia, Our kids are forced to observe so much public holidays (the likes of Operation "klen" d nation(though that happens on saturdays, but think of the Ahmadiya schools who go to school on such days?), Operation "mony" is better than learning, Operation patriotic march, operation solidarity march,operation thanking the Head of State, Operation welcomming the president ect ect.) that they barely learn any thing through our the year.This is real evident as you can now see a "grade twelve student" not knowing barely anything at all.Maybe Operation picnic everytime for all would come soon.
God forbid!
I have learnt from you again today.
Peace
Janyanfara
I think you got it Jayangfara.
The three truth is not my definition. I am only telling what really obtains in life. That is why you have a plaintiff, a defendant and the judge or in some cases a Jury. Each of these three claim to know the truth or are telling the truth and yet they never agree on what is the truth. Each side claims to have the truth.
Toubab2010 i hope you see where i come from regarding the three types of truth. Jayang good to see you back. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 18:08:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Bronx
Nyarikangbanna,
I think the blog has a comment section that is not moderated where people can dissent to their hearts content. Check it out.It is more transparent than sending it to the site owner for publication.
Bronx
Are you Gambianpatriot. You seem to know a lot about this site.
In anycase, i think those "affected" by the stories on freedom can defend themselves and are infact more competent to speak for themselves than anyone else.
My worry is who has given him the mandate to speak and defend others?Then again, my take on this is that the site may be sponsored by the aggrieved. May be Gambian patriot should provide some information on the site. For now there is nothing to start with.
At the end of the day, its Freedom newspaper that stands to gain. This site will inadvertently boost the ratings for Freedom clearly not what GambainPatriot wants if we go by his first posting
"Negative publicity is good publicity" Marketing 101 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 18:08:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Bronx
Nyarikangbanna,
I think the blog has a comment section that is not moderated where people can dissent to their hearts content. Check it out.It is more transparent than sending it to the site owner for publication.
Bronx
Are you Gambianpatriot. You seem to know a lot about this site.
In anycase, i think those "affected" by the stories on freedom can defend themselves and are infact more competent to speak for themselves than anyone else.
My worry is who has given him the mandate to speak and defend others?Then again, my take on this is that the site may be sponsored by the aggrieved. May be Gambian patriot should provide some information on the site. For now there is nothing to start with.
At the end of the day, its Freedom newspaper that stands to gain. This site will inadvertently boost the ratings for Freedom clearly not what GambainPatriot wants if we go by his first posting
"Negative publicity is good publicity" Marketing 101 |
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Bronx
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 19:07:30
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Kons,
I am not defending anyone. However the notion of mandates is taking it to far. We are talking about free speech here. |
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Bronx
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 19:07:30
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Kons,
I am not defending anyone. However the notion of mandates is taking it to far. We are talking about free speech here. |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 19:49:32
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Yes I agree with you Kayjatta its good to welcome back Kons and Janyanfara in the house. It's been alonggg time.
Arise Brethren and Sistren I knight Kons, Sir Kons of Bantabaa from hence forth along side the knights to sit underneath the banta tree.
You may rise 
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 19:49:32
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Yes I agree with you Kayjatta its good to welcome back Kons and Janyanfara in the house. It's been alonggg time.
Arise Brethren and Sistren I knight Kons, Sir Kons of Bantabaa from hence forth along side the knights to sit underneath the banta tree.
You may rise
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2007 : 22:15:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
Yes I agree with you Kayjatta its good to welcome back Kons and Janyanfara in the house. It's been alonggg time.
Arise Brethren and Sistren I knight Kons, Sir Kons of Bantabaa from hence forth along side the knights to sit underneath the banta tree.
You may rise
Peace
Sister Omega
Sorry sister
I dont like a knighthood. Its a symbol of patronage and subjugation |
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