A demonstration of thinking outside the box to gain your objective.

I realize this humorous story is made up. It is, however a prime example of the ingenuity of the typical American service person in getting the objective accomplished. I firmly believe, that more than any other country in the world, the American military relies upon the individual initiative of the everyday soldier/sailor to overcome obstacles. If you have any stories of a similar nature, please share them.

A young soldier flew home to the CONUS from a deployment in Iraq. The flight attendant directed him to First Class. A college professor saw the young warrior and suggested they spend the flight trading riddles. The young man said he was tired and just wanted to sleep. The professor insisted they bide the time with riddles suggested they make it interesting. If the professor asks a question the soldier couldn't answer the young man would lose $5.00; however, if the soldier asked a question the professor couldn't answer the professor would surrender $500.00.


The professor started by asking

"A man who lives on the tenth floor takes the elevator down to the first floor every morning and goes to work. In the evening, when he comes back; on a rainy day, or if there are other people in the elevator, he goes to his floor directly. Otherwise, he goes to the seventh floor and walks up three flights of stairs to his apartment. Can you explain why?"

The Soldier shook his head, handed the professor a five dollar bill, leaned his seat back and closed his eyes. The professor shook the young man and insisted he offered a riddle.

The soldier took a deep breath and asked...

"What goes up the hill on two legs but down the hill on eight legs." Then he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

The professor sat and pondered the question. He took out his laptop and searched both common websites and restricted academia servers. When he still couldn't find a clue he called his colleagues on the courtesy phone. No one could offer any help.

The plane landed and the young man awoke. The professor confessed he was stumped and handed the warrior five crisp one hundred dollar bills.

As the young man grabbed his rucksack the professor stopped him and asked, "what's the answer?"

At the warrior's puzzled look the professor asked "What goes up the hill on two legs but down the hill on eight legs."

The soldier handed the professor a five dollar bill and walked off the airplane and into the terminal.