Gina Heslop
Two engineers faced an interesting challenge at the base of a flagpole when a woman passing by asked about their task. They explained that they needed to determine the height of the flagpole but lacked an “adder” to measure it.
The woman, seemingly undaunted, reached into her purse and retrieved a wrench. With it, she skillfully loosened a couple of bolts and gently lowered the flagpole to the ground. Then, from her pocketbook, she produced a tape measure, took a precise measurement, and confidently declared, “Twenty-one feet, six inches,” before calmly departing.
The situation left one of the engineers shaking his head and chuckling. “A lot of good that does us. We ask for the height, and she gives us the length!” This humorous anecdote highlights the importance of clear communication. While the engineers were looking for the vertical height of the flagpole, the woman, with her practical approach, provided them with the horizontal length.
Their misunderstanding resulted in a comical twist, as they received a measurement, just not the one they were expecting. The story leaves the fate of the engineers up to the reader’s imagination, but it suggests that they may have reconsidered their engineering careers. It’s a lighthearted reminder of how communication and clarity are crucial in problem-solving and, in this case, how a simple miscommunication can lead to unexpected outcomes.
