On a quiet riverbank in the Tigrean highlands of Eritrea, three men and their three wives faced a seemingly impossible challenge. They needed to cross to the opposite shore, but they had only a single boat that could carry just two people at a time. Deep mistrust shadowed their hearts, for each man feared leaving his wife with another, worried that temptation might lead to betrayal. Likewise, the women were wary, and no one wanted to leave their spouse unaccompanied. The dilemma appeared unsolvable, the river too wide and the boat too small for trust alone to suffice.
As they pondered the predicament, one of the men spoke aloud, seeking a solution: “How can we all cross without compromising our honor, leaving none of us at risk, and ensuring no trust is broken?”
His companion, after careful thought, explained a precise sequence, demonstrating both ingenuity and caution. “Listen carefully,” he said. “First, two women should cross together. Upon reaching the opposite shore, one of them remains while the other returns with the boat to the original side. Then she takes the third woman across, so that all three women have now touched the far shore. Next, one of these women comes back with the boat to the waiting men. At this stage, two of the men, the husbands of the women who crossed first, row to their wives on the far shore. One man then returns with his wife to the original side, so that the two remaining men have their wives safely. After that, the last man crosses with the woman who has stayed, leaving the two other women on the far shore. Finally, the woman remaining on the near side ferries the two women across, one by one. In this careful order, no woman is ever left with another man, and everyone reaches the opposite shore safely.”
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The first man nodded in understanding, amazed at the cleverness of the plan. “You are correct,” he said. “There is no other method by which all three couples could cross without risking the trust between them. Every step ensures that no boundaries are broken, and yet all reach safety. Ingenuity and careful planning triumph over fear and suspicion.”
Through this precise orchestration of movement and timing, the three couples successfully crossed the river. The villagers who witnessed the feat later recounted the story as a lesson in trust, foresight, and creative problem-solving, emphasizing that cooperation and clever thinking can overcome even the most daunting challenges.
Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that ingenuity, trust, and careful planning are essential in resolving difficult challenges. By respecting the boundaries and concerns of others, and by thinking creatively, seemingly impossible problems can be solved without compromising ethics or relationships. Cooperation and strategic foresight are the keys to overcoming obstacles while maintaining trust.
Knowledge Check
Who were the main characters in the tale?
Three men and their three wives.
What was the central problem the couples faced?
Crossing a river safely using a boat that could carry only two people, while maintaining trust.
How did the couples ensure no trust was broken?
By following a precise sequence of crossings where no wife was left alone with another man.
What lesson does the story emphasize?
The importance of trust, foresight, and creative problem-solving.
From which cultural origin is this folktale?
Tigrean/Eritrean folktale.
What broader principle can be drawn from the story?
Careful planning and cooperation allow people to overcome difficult challenges ethically.
Source: Tigrean folktale, Eritrea.
