How New York City Got Its Juicy Nickname “The Big Apple” — And What It Means To The World

By Stella Stevenson

One bright morning, a young professor boarded a train. He was on his way to a conference, carrying a bag full of books and a mind full of knowledge. As he settled into his seat, he noticed an old farmer sitting beside him. The farmer wore a simple hat, his clothes were dusty, and his hands were rough from years of hard work.  

The professor, feeling bored, decided to pass the time with a little game. He turned to the farmer and said, "Let’s play a game. I will ask you a question. If you can’t answer, you give me $5. Then you ask me a question. If I can’t answer, I will give you $500. What do you say?"

The farmer smiled and nodded in agreement.

The professor started, "What is the distance between the Earth and the Moon?"

The farmer thought for a moment. He then reached into his pocket, took out $5, and handed it to the professor without saying a word.

Now it was the farmer’s turn. He asked, "What animal has three legs when climbing a mountain and four legs when coming down?"

The professor was surprised. He had never heard of such a thing. He took out his notebook, scribbled some ideas, and even searched through his books, but he couldn’t find an answer. Frustrated, he took out $500 and gave it to the farmer.

The farmer smiled, took the money, and leaned back in his seat to take a nap.

But the professor couldn’t let it go. His curiosity was too strong. He gently shook the farmer awake and asked, "Alright, what animal is it?"

The farmer said nothing. He simply reached into his pocket, pulled out $5, gave it to the professor, and went back to sleep.

The professor sat there, speechless. He realized that the simple farmer had outwitted him. The farmer did not need to know all the answers. He just needed to be wise enough to play the game cleverly.

Moral Lesson: Wisdom is not always about knowing all the answers. Sometimes, it is about understanding the game of life and playing it smartly. Intelligence comes in many forms, and true wisdom often lies in simplicity. Never underestimate those who appear less knowledgeable—they may have a different kind of wisdom that can surprise you.