IN a time that never was, when all the animals could speak, someone asked the ant: “Please tell me, what is an elephant?”

The ant said: “Sometimes, when I am in my home underground, the earth shakes a little. I have been told that that these are footsteps of the elephant passing overhead. Occasionally I have heard a distant trumpeting in the forest and thought that might be the voice of the elephant.

"One amazing time I was sunning myself on the branch of a thorn tree when I became aware of something tremendous close by. I opened my eyes to see an immeasurably large grey wall moving in front of me.

"Without knowing whether it was a dream or a reality, I am convinced that it was a vision of an elephant. How great is the elephant, how wise, how powerful, how old, whether finite or infinite, whether one or many, these are things I cannot tell you. I can only tell you that what I have experienced.”

One of the Quaker Advices and Queries says:, “While respecting the experience and opinions of others, do not be afraid to say what you have found and what you value. Appreciate that doubt and questioning can also lead to spiritual growth and to a greater awareness of the Light that is in us all”.

Another advises us to: “rejoice in the splendour of God’s continuing creation”.

The universe is a very big place, far greater than any of us can begin to imagine. A first step on the journey towards greater knowledge is to begin to recognise some of what we do not know.

Laurel Phillipson

Clerk, Airton Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)