OT--Something To Remember As We Debate

[Ebony Elizabeth Thomas]

No: HPFGUIDX 11616

Hello, HP4GUers...

I've been watching the debates this weekend with great interest and save my 
questions about the SuperHarry theory, mostly keeping my (opinionated and 
big) mouth shut.

Yesterday, I was reading one of my old favorite poetry books and ran across 
a poem I'm sure all of you know.  Perhaps we should keep it in mind in mind 
as we go back and forth.  It's one of my favorites from childhood.

The Blind Man and the Elephant
--by John Godfrey Saxe

It was six men of Hindostan,
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 approached the elephant
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl,
"Bless me, it seems the elephant
Is very like a wall."

The second, feeling of his 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 approached the animal
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Then boldly up he spake;
"I see," quoth he, "the elephant
Is very like a snake."

The fourth stretched out his eager hand
And felt about his knee,
"What most this mighty beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he;
"Tis clear enough the elephant
Is very like a tree."

The fifth who chanced to touch his ear
Said, "Even 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 sooer had begun
About the beast to grope
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," cried he, "this elephant
Is very like a rope."

And so these men of Hindustan
Disputed loud and long,
Each of his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
*****

It stands to reason that JKR has created an elephant.  We fans are like the 
blind men.  On this illustrious list, there are Wall Street Advocates, 
Spear-Throwers, Snakes, Tree-Huggers, Fan-Blowers, and Rope-Lasso-Artists.

All of us are blind.  Even those who take no position whatsoever don't know 
about the existence of the elephant.

I'm going to try to be nicer in the debates here on list.  I've said some 
things in the past that may have ruffled some feathers.  I sincerely 
apologize for the feather-ruffling.

As for fanfic... all bets are off.  :)

Best,

Ebony

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Ebony AKA AngieJ
(H/H Special Agent, First Class)

"'We start by recruiting members,' said Hermione happily.  'I thought two 
Sickles to join--that buys a badge--and the proceeds can fund our leaflet 
campaign.  You're treasurer, Ron--I've got you a collecting tin 
upstairs--and Harry, you're secretary, so you might want to write down 
everything I'm saying now, as a record of our first meeting.'

"There was a pause in which Hermione beamed at the pair of them, and Harry 
sat, torn between exasperation at Hermione and amusement at the look on 
Ron's face."

--from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, p. 225, 1st Amer. ed.

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