The Cassette Recorder
Alexander is stranded on an island covered in forest.
One day, when the wind is blowing from the west, lightning strikes the west end of the island and sets fire to the forest.
The fire is very violent, burning everything in its path, and without intervention the fire will burn the whole island, killing the man in the process.
There are cliffs around the island, so he cannot jump off.
How can the Alexander survive the fire?
Please note that there are no buckets or any other means to put out the fire.
Ah! Click here to read the solution.
Alexander picks up a piece of wood and lights it from the fire on the west end of the island.
He then quickly carries it near the east end of he island and starts a new fire.
The wind will cause that fire to burn out the eastern end and he can then shelter in the burnt area.
Alexander survives the fire but dies of starvation, with all the food in the forest burnt. 🙂
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