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Crossing the River
Swako, a Red Indian lad, was going on a journey to meet his future in-laws
for the first time. It is an Indian tradition that when the groom meets
the bride's parents, he gives them gifts to show his generosity. The gifts Swako chose were
a fox, a chicken,
and a sack of corn. He had to go across a wide, deep river and his canoe
could only carry him and one other thing. If the fox and
the chicken are left together, the fox will eat the chicken. If the chicken and
the corn are left together, the chicken will eat the corn. Can you help Swako to take the gifts to his bride's parents in good condition?
Scroll down for hint 1
There is only one good way to
start transporting the presents. Figure out what must go on the first boat-trip.
Scroll down for hint 2
O.K. So you took the hen across
and at the end of your second boat-trip you must leave either the corn or the
fox (depending on what you chose to take after the hen) on the side of the
river where the hen now is. Of course you cannot leave either of the two with
the hen. What can you do with the hen?
Scroll down for Solution
Swako first takes the hen and leaves it on the other side of
the river.
Then he takes the fox, but on his way back takes the hen with
him.
He leaves the hen on the bank and takes the corn.
Then he goes back and brings the hen.
Now he has the three gifts safely
on the other side of the river and can proceed peacefully to his bride's
parents.
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