As you’re out hiking with your cat, a lettuce, and a vacuum cleaner, you come upon a river blocking the path. On the side of the river, there’s a boat that’s just big enough for you and one other passenger.
The cat can’t be left alone with the lettuce.
The vacuum can’t be left alone with the cat.
I take the cat across.
Then return.
Then I take the vaccum across.
I return with the cat.
I take the lettuce across.
Then return.
Pick up the cat, and cross a final time.
As you’re out hiking with your cat, a lettuce, and a vacuum cleaner, you come upon a river blocking the path. On the side of the river, there’s a boat that’s just big enough for you and one other passenger.
The cat can’t be left alone with the lettuce.
The vacuum can’t be left alone with the cat.
How do you get everyone across?
I take the cat across. Then return. Then I take the vaccum across. I return with the cat. I take the lettuce across. Then return. Pick up the cat, and cross a final time.
While you are picking up the cat, the vaccum eats the lettuce.
Dang, well surely it does that on the first trip and not after I’ve already spent so much time carefully shuffling everybody across? Right? Right?