The Greatest Riddle Ever Told

By: Jim @ ForestHiker.com

This is how perhaps the best riddle I have ever heard goes: Two identical brothers become employed as lumberjacks. For all intensive purposes of the riddle the two brothers are equal on stamina, strength, and are even working identical plots of land. Both are assigned for a straight 8-hour shift.

Lumberjack Arnie (1 brother), spends his entire 8-hours doing nothing but swinging his axe. He is in impeccable shape and never fatigues or tires. By the end of the day Lumberjack Arnie has cut down 100 trees. He is very impressed with his work.

Lumberjack Lester (2nd brother), spends his eight hours by working for 50 minutes straight followed by 10 minute breaks (8 total breaks). He is also in the same impeccable shape and never fatigues from the day’s operations. By the end of the 8 hours, Lester has cut down 115 trees. (15 more then his identical brother.)

So the riddle of course is; What was Lumberjack Lester’s Secret? How did he cut down so many more trees?

The Answer?

Like any great riddle, the answer is simple. Lumberjack Lester spent his ten minutes of every hour sharpening his axe. So

BY: BLane

although both brothers were equally as strong, Lumberjack Lester took the advantage by literally staying sharp. And like any great riddle, a true lesson can be found from it’s questioning nature. Think about the difference between working hard and working smart. Know that every now and then you need to sharpen your axe. Take a step back and get some perspective, use your rest time to prepare for the next step, and most importantly, stay sharp.

-BLane