(Hopefully this one hasn't been posted it's a really old one I think don't post a solution if you ALREADY know the answer I haven't posted the solution cause I want people to actually try and not just look at the question then giveup right away.)

An old man has a boat and needs to cross the river, the problem is he has three things he needs to get across the river a chicken, a dog, and a sack of grain. He has three problems:

His boat can only support himself and one item,

The dog can't be left with the chicken, and

The chicken can't be left with the grain.

How does he get across with all three items intact?

take the chicken across, leaving the dog and grain (okay)
leave chicken on other side; come back and get dog.
take dog across and leave it, but take the chicken back with you.
(dog on other side, you and chicken in boat, grain on original side)
on the first side put the chicken back, and get the grain.
take the grain to the other side and leave it with the dog (dog still doesn't like grain i guess)
return to first side; get chicken; go across.
OR
buy a bigger boat.

Posted by chris on 2002-10-02 12:18:54