A Blind Man and Lame Man cooperated to complete a journey. The Blind Man carried the Lame Man who served as the pair’s eyes.
Cooperation can be helpful.
JBR Collection
A Blind Man being stopped in a bad piece of road, met with a Lame Man, and entreated him to guide him through the difficulty he had got into. “How can I do that,” replied the Lame Man, “since I am scarce able to drag myself along?–but as you appear to be very strong, if you will carry me, we will seek our fortunes together. It will then be my interest to warn you of anything that may obstruct your way; your feet shall be my feet, and my eyes your eyes.” “With all my heart,” returned the Blind Man; “let us render each other our mutual services.” So taking his lame companion on his back, they, by means of their union, travelled on with safety and pleasure. This shows that it is from our wants and infirmities that almost all the connections of society take their rise.
Jefferys Taylor
Two persons once met in a dangerous place,
When each to the other thus opened his case:
Said one, “Oh! good Christian, do pray be so kind
As to lend me your aid, for you see I am blind.”
Said the other, “Good Christian! ’tis well that you came,
Do help me, I pray, for I’m dreadfully lame!”
“Alas!” said the blind, “what is now to be done?
I can run, but can’t see: you can see, but can’t run.”
But at last added he—”‘Tell you what, honest friend;
I will borrow your eyes, but my legs I will lend;”
So the cripple consented, and got on his back,
And thus both with safety continued their track.
By this fable you see we’ve endeavour’d to show,
What a little good-natured contrivance can do.
Thomas Bewick (The Blind Man and The Lame)
A blind Man and a lame Man happening to come at the same time to a piece of very bad road, the former begged of the latter that he would be so kind as to guide him through the difficulty. How can I do that, said the lame Man, since I am scarcely able to drag myself along? But as you appear to be very strong, if you will carry me, we will seek our fortunes together. It will then be my interest to warn you against any thing that may obstruct your way; your feet shall be my feet, and my eyes your’s. With all my heart, replied the blind Man; let us mutually serve each other. So, taking his lame companion on his back, they by means of this union travelled on with safety and pleasure.
APPLICATION.
There is no such thing as absolute independence, in a state of society, and the defects and weaknesses of individuals form the cement by which it is bound together. All men have their imperfections and wants, and must help each other as a matter of expediency as well as virtue; for Providence has so ordered things in this life, that like the blind man and the lame in the Fable, we may be serviceable to each other in almost every instance. What one man wants another supplies. Without these failings there would be neither friendship nor company; so that it is our interest to be both charitable and sociable, when our very wants and necessities are converted by Providence into blessings. The whole race of mankind ought indeed to be but so many members of the same body; and in contributing to the ease and convenience of each other, we are not only serviceable to the whole, but kind to ourselves.
