What a Beautiful Answer

I very much enjoyed the following riddle, which came to me by e-mail last week. Unfortunately, I was unable to think outside the box for the best answer. Try to come up with the best answer.

You are driving down the road in your car on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop and you see three people waiting for the bus:

(1) an elderly lady who looks as if she were about to die,

(2) an old friend who once saved your life, and

(3) the perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car? Think before you continue reading.

This is a moral / ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application. You could pick up the elderly lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first. Or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

What do you think the answer is?

Hint: sometimes we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations. Let us learn to think outside of the box.

If you answer the multiple-choice questions below and e-mail to lessonanswers@mymontebello.com with “Lesson answers” in the subject field, you will be credited toward a “certificate of recognition in community affairs” to be awarded in 2007 by a local nonprofit organization.

1. What is the best answer?

(a) Give the elderly lady a ride.

(b) Be fair and pick up nobody.

(c) Give the car keys to the old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. Stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of your dreams.

2. What would keep us from thinking of 1(c)?

(a) Our egos, that is, everything must be decided and done by us.

(b) Our inability to picture ourselves and others in different roles.

August 30, 2007