There is but one tree in the place, and here it is.' 'Very true,' said the others, 'all together; there is only _one_ tree; but _here_ it is.' 'Nay,' said the others, 'it is _here!_' and so saying, each blind man triumphantly felt of the branch, where it penetrated into the earth.

Then again said the first speaker: Good friends, if you will not believe what I say, come hither, and feel for yourselves.' 'Nay, nay,' replied they, why seek further?
_here_ it is; and nowhere else can it be.' 'You blind fools, you, you contradict yourselves,' continued the first speaker, waxing wroth; 'how can you each have hold of a separate trunk, when there is but one in the place ?' Whereupon, they redoubled their cries, calling each other all manner of opprobrious names, and presently they fell to beating each other with their staves, and charging upon each other with their noses.

But soon after, being loudly called upon by Tammaro and his people; who all this while had been looking on; being loudly called upon, I say, to clap their hands on the trunk, they again rushed for their respective branches; and it so happened, that, one and all, they changed places; but still cried out, '_Here_ it is; _here_ it is!' 'Peace! peace! ye silly blind men,' said Tammaro.

'Will ye without eyes presume to see more sharply than those who have them?
The tree is too much for us all.

Hence! depart from the valley.'" "An admirable story," cried Media.