Three Blind Men and a Horse

Three blind men, as in the elephant fable,
examined a horse in a roadside stable.
The owner said to the blind men then,
“Guess what it is and ten dollars win.”

The first exclaimed while stroking  its  mane,
“This animal, from a lion came.”
Another felt its dry, course hair,
“I think it surely must be a bear.”

The third, more thorough than the rest,
put the animal through a careful test.
“Its head is large for its body size,
and finely appointed with big round eyes.

“With ears alert and shoulders deep;
its neck is long with a graceful sweep.
Its muscular legs and fetlocks large,
are poised and ready for instant charge.

“He, I believe, was desert bred,
with sturdy feet to hot sand tread.
From hardy stock he will long survive
on scant water and stay alive.

“Arabian horse!” was the blind man’s phrase.
And, at such accuracy, the owner was dazed.
“How could you have possibly known?
Could you tell by feeling alone?”

To which replied the blind man then,
with ten dollars safely in hand,
“Thank you Sir, but I could not lose,
since you told it all on the Morning News.”
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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March 6, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Hi James, I enjoyed reading this tale. You have a wonderful imagination. N:)
Devonshire Avatar
February 27, 2011 at 11:32 AM
I would have loved to see the expression on the owner's face when the third blind man told him he'd heard about the Arabian horse on the morning news, James. You are a great writer! I didn't know what to expect from the title, but boy did you draw me into this tale told in verse quickly. Love it! New fave for me. Love, Carolyn
Sweetheart Avatar
February 27, 2011 at 8:09 AM
Interesting fable all your own James.. good luck if for any of the contrsts posted.. imaginative and full of great imagery too.. enjoyed with luv..
Dietrich Avatar
February 26, 2011 at 12:35 AM
Funny one. LIke blind men with an elephant but with a special twist at the end. I enjoyed this one. LUv, Andrea
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