fenderbelly
25th February 2009, 08:33 PM
Many years ago in a small Russian village, A farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to the village money lender.
The money lender, who was old and horrible, fancied the farmer's beautiful daughter. So he proposed a bargain.
He said he would forgo the farmer's debt if he could marry his daughter.
Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal.
The cunning money lender suggested that they decide the matter this way: He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble Into an empty money bag. Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag.
1. If she picked the black pebble, She would become his wife and her father's debt would be forgiven.
2. If she picked the white pebble, she need not marry him and her father's debt would still be forgiven.
3. But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.
Standing on a pebble-strewn path in the farmer's' field, the money lender bent over to pick up two pebbles.
As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag.
He then asked the girl to pick a pebble from the bag.
Now, imagine that you were standing in the field that day. What would you have done if you were the girl?
If you had to advise her, What would you have told her?
Careful analysis would seem to produce three possibilities:
1. The girl should refuse to take a pebble.
2. The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the money lender as a cheat. But he will not forgive the loan.
3. The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order to save her father from his debt and imprisonment.
Take a moment to ponder over this story. Experts use it to make people appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking.
The girl's dilemma cannot be solved with traditional logical thinking. Think of the consequences if she chose any of the logical choices.
What would you recommend the girl do? Don't look at the answer yet, give your advice after a few minute of your own lateral thinking................
The money lender, who was old and horrible, fancied the farmer's beautiful daughter. So he proposed a bargain.
He said he would forgo the farmer's debt if he could marry his daughter.
Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal.
The cunning money lender suggested that they decide the matter this way: He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble Into an empty money bag. Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag.
1. If she picked the black pebble, She would become his wife and her father's debt would be forgiven.
2. If she picked the white pebble, she need not marry him and her father's debt would still be forgiven.
3. But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.
Standing on a pebble-strewn path in the farmer's' field, the money lender bent over to pick up two pebbles.
As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag.
He then asked the girl to pick a pebble from the bag.
Now, imagine that you were standing in the field that day. What would you have done if you were the girl?
If you had to advise her, What would you have told her?
Careful analysis would seem to produce three possibilities:
1. The girl should refuse to take a pebble.
2. The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the money lender as a cheat. But he will not forgive the loan.
3. The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order to save her father from his debt and imprisonment.
Take a moment to ponder over this story. Experts use it to make people appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking.
The girl's dilemma cannot be solved with traditional logical thinking. Think of the consequences if she chose any of the logical choices.
What would you recommend the girl do? Don't look at the answer yet, give your advice after a few minute of your own lateral thinking................