Lateral thinking/ I got it wrong as usual.

**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................

**masoth** · 25th February 2009, 08:58 PM

Yes, FenderB, but where is the answer, please?

soth

**mic-d** · 25th February 2009, 09:12 PM

Since there is a 50/50 chance of picking either colour, I would ask to swap the outcomes associated with each colour. The money lender could have no logical reason for refusing if there were two different coloured pebbles in the bag.

Cheers
Michael

**weisyboy** · 25th February 2009, 09:13 PM

its been an hour already.

**fenderbelly** · 25th February 2009, 10:49 PM

wiesy boy--an hour already and you havent given an answer yet

Michael ----wrong answer

soth---where is your answer.

now come on guys if you want to win you have to try harder.

Cheers Fred

**Grumpy John** · 25th February 2009, 10:57 PM

Take out a pebble and ask the money lender to take out a pebble. Ask the money lender to show you his pebble and when you see it is black say that you must have the white pebble.

**pugwash** · 25th February 2009, 11:23 PM

Hide a white pebble in your hand, put your hand in the bag and produce the white pebble, The money lender can't complain without admitting he cheated?

**switt775** · 25th February 2009, 11:32 PM

Take a pebble out of the bag and without allowing anyone to see it throw it away. Then tell the money lender to check the pebble which remains in the bag. Since that one is black, the one you selected must have been white.

**fenderbelly** · 26th February 2009, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by switt775

Take a pebble out of the bag and without allowing anyone to see it throw it away. Then tell the money lender to check the pebble which remains in the bag. Since that one is black, the one you selected must have been white.

well done that man, thats as near the answer ive got so as to make no difference.

cheers Fred

**switt775** · 26th February 2009, 08:46 AM

OK, I' ve got to fess up. I'd heard that one before.

**fenderbelly** · 26th February 2009, 06:03 PM

Thats ok, but you do realise that you now forfeit the prize of two weeks in the Whitsundays.

Cheers Fred

**switt775** · 26th February 2009, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by fenderbelly

Thats ok, but you do realise that you now forfeit the prize of two weeks in the Whitsundays.

Cheers Fred

I'd happily trade it for 2 solid weeks getting my shed in order.

**underfoot** · 28th February 2009, 06:37 AM

why doesn't she just take both pebbles out of the bag,
this will show that the moneylender is an unscrupulous sh*t,
he will lose all credibility, his business will go bankrupt and he will be run out of town,
thereby solving both problems

.
.....unfortunately ....what actually happens ....
he goes bankrupt...
the towns mayor uses taxpayers money to prop up his business.....
he uses the money to buy a new trabant and a holiday home on the Black sea.
then retires with a 10million rouble golden handshake.

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