Suddenly the engine splutters
Four people are aboard a small airplane cruising thousands of feet above the ground:
• The Pilot (because, of course, someone has to fly the plane).
• The President of the United States (a man of great importance—or so he claims).
• The World’s Smartest Man (a genius brimming with brilliance and self-confidence).
• A Student (just an ordinary kid from a local school).
Suddenly, the engine sputters and alarms blare. The pilot bursts into the cabin, a look of panic on his face.
“I hate to break it to you,” he says, “but the engine’s failing, and this plane is going down. We need to evacuate now!”
Everyone springs to their feet, but there’s a problem: there are only three parachutes and four people. Someone is going to have to stay behind.
The President leaps up first, puffing out his chest. “I’m the President of the United States! My country needs me!” Without hesitation, he grabs a parachute, straps it on, and jumps out of the plane.
Next, the World’s Smartest Man steps forward, adjusting his glasses. “I am the greatest mind on this planet! Humanity simply cannot afford to lose me and my groundbreaking inventions.” He snatches a bag from the pile, slings it over his shoulders, and dives out after the President.
That leaves just the pilot and the student, staring at each other and the single remaining parachute.
“Well,” says the pilot, sighing heavily, “it looks like I’m staying behind. The captain always goes down with the ship. Take the parachute, kid, and save yourself.”
The student pauses, then smiles. “Actually, we’re good! There are still two parachutes left.”
The pilot looks baffled. “How’s that possible?”
The student chuckles and points out the window. “The World’s Smartest Man just jumped out with my school backpack!”
• The Pilot (because, of course, someone has to fly the plane).
• The President of the United States (a man of great importance—or so he claims).
• The World’s Smartest Man (a genius brimming with brilliance and self-confidence).
• A Student (just an ordinary kid from a local school).
Suddenly, the engine sputters and alarms blare. The pilot bursts into the cabin, a look of panic on his face.
“I hate to break it to you,” he says, “but the engine’s failing, and this plane is going down. We need to evacuate now!”
Everyone springs to their feet, but there’s a problem: there are only three parachutes and four people. Someone is going to have to stay behind.
The President leaps up first, puffing out his chest. “I’m the President of the United States! My country needs me!” Without hesitation, he grabs a parachute, straps it on, and jumps out of the plane.
Next, the World’s Smartest Man steps forward, adjusting his glasses. “I am the greatest mind on this planet! Humanity simply cannot afford to lose me and my groundbreaking inventions.” He snatches a bag from the pile, slings it over his shoulders, and dives out after the President.
That leaves just the pilot and the student, staring at each other and the single remaining parachute.
“Well,” says the pilot, sighing heavily, “it looks like I’m staying behind. The captain always goes down with the ship. Take the parachute, kid, and save yourself.”
The student pauses, then smiles. “Actually, we’re good! There are still two parachutes left.”
The pilot looks baffled. “How’s that possible?”
The student chuckles and points out the window. “The World’s Smartest Man just jumped out with my school backpack!”
