از نظرگاهست ای مغز وجود ** اختلاف مومن و گبر و جهود
From the place (object) of view, O (thou who art the) kernel of Existence, there arises the difference between the true believer and the Zoroastrian and the Jew.
اختلاف کردن در چگونگی و شکل پیل
The disagreement as to the description and shape of the elephant.
پیل اندر خانه‌ی تاریک بود ** عرضه را آورده بودندش هنود
The elephant was in a dark house: some Hindús had brought it for exhibition.
از برای دیدنش مردم بسی ** اندر آن ظلمت همی‌شد هر کسی1260
In order to see it, many people were going, every one, into that darkness.
دیدنش با چشم چون ممکن نبود ** اندر آن تاریکیش کف می‌بسود
As seeing it with the eye was impossible, (each one) was feeling it in the dark with the palm of his hand.
آن یکی را کف به خرطوم اوفتاد ** گفت همچون ناودانست این نهاد
The hand of one fell on its trunk: he said, “This creature is like a water-pipe.”
آن یکی را دست بر گوشش رسید ** آن برو چون بادبیزن شد پدید
The hand of another touched its ear: to him it appeared to be like a fan.
آن یکی را کف چو بر پایش بسود ** گفت شکل پیل دیدم چون عمود
Since another handled its leg, he said, “I found the elephant's shape to be like a pillar.”
آن یکی بر پشت او بنهاد دست ** گفت خود این پیل چون تختی بدست1265
Another laid his hand on its back: he said, “Truly, this elephant was like a throne.”
همچنین هر یک به جزوی که رسید ** فهم آن می‌کرد هر جا می‌شنید
Similarly, whenever any one heard (a description of the elephant), he understood (it only in respect of) the part that he had touched.
از نظرگه گفتشان شد مختلف ** آن یکی دالش لقب داد این الف
On account of the (diverse) place (object) of view, their statements differed: one man entitled it “dál,” another “alif.”