There once lived a man who said that he was smarter than everyone in the world. And since he said it himself, others began to repeat it after him. And there lived another man about whom everyone said that he was the stupidest in the world. And since others were talking about this, he himself began to think so.
One day a stupid man came to a wise man and said:
- My brother, I need your advice. I’m just afraid that even such a smart person like you won’t be able to help me.
Smart said:
“Is there anything I don’t know?” Ask! What's your business?
Stupid said:
“You see, I need to transport a goat, cabbage and a leopard across a mountain stream.” My boat is small. You'll have to go back and forth three times. So I want to ask you - you are a smart person, you know everything - what would you do in my place?
Smart said:
- It's as easy as shelling pears! First I would move the leopard.
Then the fool said:
“But while you are transporting the leopard, the goat will eat the cabbage.”
- Oh, yes! - said the smart one. “In that case, you need to transport the goat first.” Then a leopard. And then cabbage.
“But while you are going for cabbage,” said the stupid one, “the leopard will eat the goat.”
- That's right, that's right. Here's how to do it. Listen and remember. First you need to transport the goat, then the cabbage... No, wait. Goat and cabbage should not be left together. It’s better this way: first cabbage, then. . . No, that won't do either. The leopard will eat the goat. You just confused me! Can't you solve such a simple matter yourself?
“I guess I can,” said the stupid one. “You really don’t need any special intelligence here.” First I will transport the goat to the other side...
- Well, I told you!
- Then cabbage. ..
- You see, you are doing as I advised you!
- Then...
- Here, here - what then? That's what I told you!
“Then I will go back with the goat, leave the goat, and transport the leopard to the other side.” He won't eat cabbage.
- Of course it won’t! Finally you guessed it!
“And then I’ll go after the goat again.” So my goat, cabbage, and leopard will be safe.
“Now you see,” said the smart one, “that it was not in vain that you came to me for advice?” And you still doubted whether I could help you!
Stupid said:
“You really helped me.” And thank you very much for this. You advised me to decide everything myself, and it was the most correct advice.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru