the philosopher and the boatman
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Short storyTRANSCRIPT
THE PHILOSOPHER AND THE BOATMAN
One day a philosopher was crossing a river in a small boat. While crossing it he said to the boatman: "Do you know anything about mathematics?"
"Oh, no", said the boatman. "I do not know anything.
"I am very sorry for you," said the philosopher, "because a quarter of your life is lost.”
A little later the philosopher asked the boatman a second question:" Do you
know anything about Physics?"
"Oh, no", said the boatman, "I have never heard anything about it."
"I am very sorry for you," said the philosopher, "because a second quarter of your life is lost".
After some time the philosopher asked the boatman the third question: "Do you know anything about Astronomy?"
"Oh, no," answered the boatman as before. "I have never heard anything
about it".
"I am very sorry for you, because a third quarter of your life is lost".
At this moment the boat ran on a rock. The boatman jumped up and said: "Can you swim?"
"Oh, no," said the philosopher, "I cannot".
"I am very sorry for you, then," said the boatman. "your whole life is lost,
because the boat is sinking".