There’s always more than one solution to your dilemma.Many years ago in a small Indian village, a farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a village moneylender. The moneylender, who was old and ugly, 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. So the cunning money-lender suggested that they let providence decide the matter. 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.
They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the farmer’s field. As they talked, the moneylender 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. 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 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. 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 the story. The girl’s dilemma cannot be solved with traditional logical thinking. Think of the consequences if she chooses one of the above logical answers. What would you recommend that the Girl do?
Careful analysis would 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. 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 the story. The girl’s dilemma cannot be solved with traditional logical thinking. Think of the consequences if she chooses one of the above logical answers. What would you recommend that the Girl do?
Do you have a situation in your life that seems similar – none of the choices available will provide a positive outcome. Or is there another possibility?
Well, here is what she did ….
The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles. “Oh, how clumsy of me,” she said. “But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.” Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one. And since the money-lender dared not admit his dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Most complex problems do have a solution. Look beyond the obvious choices and find a creative option.
The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles. “Oh, how clumsy of me,” she said. “But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.” Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one. And since the money-lender dared not admit his dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Most complex problems do have a solution. Look beyond the obvious choices and find a creative option.
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This story and others are found in No More Dreaded Mondays – with lots of new solutions to work issues.
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Awesome blog on choices and perspectives – thanks Dan!
Wow what a story she must have had some divine guidance to come up with that anwser in the spot like that. Good moral though… There’s always another way.
What a story and what a development!
Love this story!! Thanks Dan! 🙂
I really love this! Thanks for sharing 🙂
good Story here is something else I heard . While they were going into space the Amercans and rusisians could not write with a penbecause of zero gravity. The u>S. spent 12 Million dollars and a decade later they invented such apen that could write in Zero gravity. The Russioans simpl;y useda pencil Don’t know if its true but its an interesting story.
That’s a bit of an urban myth. They originally used pencils as well but didn’t want flammable objects on board. The pen was developed by a private inventor who sold the pens to NASA and the Russians. There’s a great article in Scientific American that has more of the story.
Hi Dan,
Would it be OK to repost this on my blog (with credit and link back to you of course.) I think it would be a great introduction to the 48 Days brand as a plan towards facilitating the seminar in the Spring.