Can you solve the river crossing riddle? - Lisa Winer

Summary

In a gripping scenario, three lions and three wildebeest must escape a raging wildfire by crossing a crocodile-infested river using a raft that can only carry two animals at a time. The challenge lies in ensuring that the lions never outnumber the wildebeest, as this could lead to disastrous consequences. Through careful planning and strategic crossings, the animals navigate their way to safety across eleven trips, forming an unlikely alliance. This problem highlights the importance of logic and decision-making in crisis situations, culminating in a successful escape just in time.

Takeaways

• 🔥 A wildfire threatens the lives of three lions and three wildebeest, forcing them to find safety.
• 🌊 The animals must cross a crocodile-infested river using a raft that can carry up to two animals.
• ⚠️ The lions cannot outnumber the wildebeest on either side of the river or on the raft, or it leads to danger.
• 🛶 The crossing strategy begins with one lion and one wildebeest to prevent immediate conflict.
• 🔄 After the first crossing, one lion returns to maintain balance on the banks.
• 🐾 Careful decision-making is crucial, as sending the wrong combination of animals can result in disaster.
• 👥 As the animals cross, they must always ensure that the wildebeest outnumber the lions to stay safe.
• 🧩 A total of eleven crossings are required to get all the animals across safely.
• 🌈 Despite their differences, the lions and wildebeest collaborate to escape the fire together.
• 🤔 The story ends with the question of how long this unlikely alliance will last in their new environment.

Q & A

What is the main scenario described in the script?

The script describes a perilous situation where three lions and three wildebeest must escape a wildfire by crossing a crocodile-infested river using a raft.

What is the capacity of the raft mentioned in the script?

The raft can carry up to two animals at a time.

What condition must be maintained to ensure the safety of the wildebeest?

Lions must never outnumber the wildebeest on either side of the river to prevent them from attacking.

What are the five options for the first crossing of the river?

The five options for the first crossing are: one wildebeest, one lion, two wildebeest, two lions, or one of each.

Why are sending two wildebeest or one animal alone considered poor choices?

Sending two wildebeest would leave one vulnerable and get it eaten, while sending one animal alone means it must return immediately, which doesn't help the situation.

How does the script suggest starting the crossings?

The script suggests starting with one lion and one wildebeest crossing the river together.

What happens after the first crossing?

After the first crossing, the wildebeest stays on the right bank, while the lion returns to the left bank, ensuring no lions outnumber the wildebeest.

What is the total number of trips needed to successfully cross all animals?

A total of eleven trips are needed to get all the animals across safely.

What alternative strategy does the script mention for crossing?

The script mentions that starting with both lions crossing first also leads to a solution, taking the same number of crossings.

What is the final outcome for the animals after they cross the river?

All six animals escape the wildfire unharmed and begin their new lives across the river, leaving open the question of how long their alliance will last.