Many years ago in a small Indian village, a farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a village moneylender. The moneylender, who was old and ugly, fancied the farmer’s beautiful daughter. So he proposed a bargain. He said he would forgo the farmer’s debt if he could marry his daughter.
Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal. So the cunning money-lender suggested that they let providence decide the matter. He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty money bag. Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag.
If she picked the black pebble, she would become his wife and her father’s debt would be forgiven. If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father’s debt would still be forgiven. If she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.
They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the farmer’s field. As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag. He then asked the girl to pick a pebble from the bag.
Now, imagine that you were standing in the field. What would you have done if you were the girl? If you had to advise her, what would you have told her?
Take a moment to ponder this. What would you recommend that the girl do?
The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.
“Oh, how clumsy of me!” she said. “But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.”
The moneylender dared not admit his dishonesty. The girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one.
By Edward de Bono
Most problems do have a solution, sometimes we just need to think in a different way.
I think the punchline of this story depends on money-lender’s honesty. What would she do if the lender could admit his dishonesty?
And i wonder why she couldn’t ask him to make it sure that there were two black and white stones? And then, play the fair game?
Hello it was a beautiful story
If we trust God he always finds away and fix our problems.
Ya bro right💯
interesting !I love this story
This is about the smartest move I have read in a very long time. More importantly , GOD got her back…
Nice story.
Honesty if i am in that girl shoe’s i will not no what to do, very inspired story
sometime complex situation have the solution we need to think in different ways.
Extraordinary story simple and thought provoking… What a spontaneous spark in mind!!!
very nice story.
Haha. .this girl is smart….very enlightening.
A motivated awesome story
Nice story……..very educative.
very nice story….
Very good, may you be well and happy, may be at ease and free from anxiety. Mk
Interesting
A very good lesson please keep posting
This story tells you that you can be wise and smart in any situation. This story makes you sit on the edge of your seat and it makes you caught in it soaring like an eagle above watching it.
I think that this was a really good story also I think that the answer to the problem was very smart and wise. Also, I think that it really stinks because every year when he got money from the money loaner it was bad weather and the money was pretty much no use. 🙁
Good action, Sharp thingking and presense of mind is the best tool to every difficult situation. thank you this beautiful story.
I like it
We should not be panic and should think differently
Wow…very very interesting
An interesting story in deed.
Very motivative touching story….
This story is for sure a lesson from a great teacher i heard about the person that signed the story he is maltese and a very intelligent professor and respected in malta. And you Stephen you are our pride and joy for keeping us looking foward for a moment of happiness in a time of need. The story is amazing like both of you. GOD Bless Steve and Edward de Bono. (I am also maltese)
Thats one of the best stories i have ever read, i enjoyed it and learnt more for a life time.
I love all your stories and I’ve shared with my followers in facebook. God bless U n keep on the good job.. I’m glad to find ur blog
nicee…
unpreditable……!
love it
Hehehe nice one! How clever the girl is. I didn’t think of that one.
Truly, most problems are jst lik stepping stones to greater thgs. Wat might possibly be disadvantageous might be converted to an advantage.
That story is SMART! So cool.
I really liked the story a lot, the girl had an amazing prblm solving ability.
Lovely…..extremely inspiring.
Thanks for the story..
yes it is true we need to think before talking..
Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Thinking is a transparent mirror.
I love that
Inspiring and useful. Look for the hidden solution from the problem itself.
Quick thinking and presence of mind can pull you out from a difficult situation
Very inspiring
Wonderful story and really gives a good lesson.Giving up and excuses wont help but thinking a different and creative way help
Dear Stephen,
May God bless you as ever as you share God breathe and inspiring
stories with high moral values…
Inspiring and crystal clear on the message ‘Honesty is even the best policy” even the monkey in its cleverness sometimes outwitted. Thanks Mr. Stephen may you have more Godly breathe wisdom..
Very good and motivating story! Thanks.
Very motivating and it has led me from nothing to something. Nay God bless you always Mr Stephen for giving as inspiration stories.
Sometimes it just requires a moment of calm and concise thought. However, many times panic takes over and we can’t see a way out of scams, cheats and dishonest deals. Have a great day!
Wonderful story, truly most problems do have a solution we just need to think in a different way.