The Six Oranges Puzzles

(This is my answer to my subject's Learning Skills exam: How did I arrive to the answer to this question? What were my learning skills involved?)

THE PUZZLE: There are six oranges in the bag. How can you give these 6 children an orange each and still have one left in the bag?

First of all, when I got this question, to be passed on the day of regular class, I didn't bother myself much to answer immediately because there were still other things I must do. An exam the next day. However, there were days I would think about it but not much until I started making this.

I heard what the others would do to get this answer. Some would research. Some made this a discussion on Facebook. However, I didn't bother myself to listen to them because I wanted to try to answer this puzzle myself.

I got my first answer to this question when I was on the commode. (I'm a thinker. I think a lot. My mind runs like a TV.)

Answer #1: There are 6 oranges and I gave each orange to 6 children. But the puzzle didn't say there's one "orange" left in the bag. Therefore, there could be another fruit in the bag.

My second answer came when I was only chilling out or enjoying free time watching a movie, and I went to pee. (Bathroom again) My second answer is a bit weird and complex.

Answer #2: What if the person doesn't know division. Six oranges, he has to divide to 6 children. 6 divided by 6 is one. Therefore, there is one orange left in the bag.

Logically, that's not possible...and dumb.

Answer #3: What if the person miscounted the oranges. He counted 6 oranges and gave it to 6 children. He missed counting the seventh orange. (But the question said HOW not WHAT IF.)

Answer #4: The man gave 6 oranges to 6 children. But one child didn't like an orange, so child returned the orange. The man left with one orange in his bag. (However, the puzzle said there's "one left IN THE BAG".)

All my answers didn't quite stick to the puzzle itself, but all were possible in each of their own way.

I set aside my answers and lastly went to the internet to search for 'an' answer. I didn't say 'the' answer because I knew there are many possible answers from this puzzle.

Answer #5: Answers.com said "Start with 7 oranges..."

Hmm. Answer #5 is quite possible and logical, and sticks to question accurately.

THE PUZZLE: There are six oranges in the bag. How can you give these 6 children an orange each and still have one left in the bag?

THE ANSWER: Add one more orange to the bag.

I have not thought the puzzle could be that simple. A young child can answer this puzzle. Too bad, I'm no longer a small child with an unadulterated mind.

(Before I write this on paper/booklet, I typd on the computer. I can think more if I type because I wouldn't mind my handwriting and counting the pages I used. So two of my learning skills is to remove distractions and find something comfortable. Minding my handwriting, pen and paper is a distraction, and typing on a keyboard is comfortable. When I make my journals, I type, I no longer write.

And I made this VERY late at night. Night is when my mind works more, maybe because of the less stimuli that goes on at night or less distractions from the noise or people.)

Racing with Ohana

Don't make a point. Guide.

There is a limp with crutches. He has to reach the finish line before he misses the opportunity but he doesn't know how. So he starts asking people who are also running the race.

Someone 'points' to him where is the finish line and leaves. Now, the limp knows where the finish line is. However, he doesn't know how to get there.

He only has his crutches. So he starts walking.

A mile later, he becomes tired. He starts crawling with the crutches tied on his back.

Later he thinks, will he let go off his crutches to loosen his load? But what if he may need it again later? So the limp continues his pace. Walk with his crutches and crawl. Again and again he does this cycle just to reach to the finish line.

However, the limp becomes so tired with the same strategy over and over again and he still is unable to reach to the finish on time. If only someone would guide him.

If someone guides him, will he be able to reach the finish line on time?

There is a limp with crutches. He has to reach the finish line but he doesn't know how. He starts asking people who are also running the race.

People hear him and know his need. They start guiding him and helping him to reach the finish line.

Someone lends him a wheelchair. The limp sits on the wheelchair and ties his crutches behind the wheelchair. He rolls on.

Will he get to the finish line? What if one wheel from the wheelchair get broken? How will he get to the finish line?

The limp has many things in mind. He would use his crutches again but he knows he is unable to reach the finish line with his crutches. Or is only he knows how to fix the wheel but he doesn't know how to fix a wheel and he doesn't have the tools to fix. Or he would rather start rolling as hard as he could with a broken wheel. Will he get to the finish line?

What if people are there to help him? They would either fix his wheel or replace the wheel for him. Others would try to just carry him to reach to the finish line.

So the race is in motion again. The limp is being carried to the finish line leaving the wheelchair and his crutches.

What if the person carrying him sprained his ankle? He has to put the limp down. Now there are two limps running the race. How will they get to the finish line? The limp has left his crutches behind and if starts crawling again, what would happen to the new limp?

Each limp would place one of their arms over the other limp's shoulder, and they limp away to the finish line. Skipping. Leaping. Skipping.

A mile later, the two limps are both tired; they start crawling.

Is the first limp complaining that he has to crawl again? Is the first limp sad that he has to crawl again?

The two limps are enjoying each other's company. Yes, they are tired. But they are happy. Sooner, they reach the finish line together.

Don't make a point. Guide.

The limp can't get to the finish line with only what he has and only what he knows. With limited resources, he can't finish the race because someone only points to him where the finish line is. With help and guidance, the limp is able to finish the race. Not by himself but with a friend who first guides him, then later, they help each other out.

We are limps. We cannot reach the finish line by ourselves. We need guidance and help. We don't need people pointing to us the direction. We don't need teachers, parents, or friends to point us to our futures. We need them to guide us. We need people not pride. We need fellowship not workmanship.

Because people have the resources we don't have.

Woe is a man who runs the race alone.

Happy is the man who finishes the race with others.

"We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means (GUIDANCE). So let us run the race that is before us and never give up (FINISH LINE--LIFE). We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back (CRUTCHES/OUR OWN RESOURCES--PRIDE/SELFISHNESS/ISOLATION)." Hebrews 12:1

"I saw a man who had no family, no son or brother. He always worked hard but was never satisfied with what he had. He never asked himself, "For whom am I working so hard? Why don't I let myself enjoy life?" This is very sad and useless." Eccl. 4:8

"Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together.

If one falls down, the other can help him up.

But it is bad fo the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help.

If two lie down together, they will be warm.

An enemy might defeat one person, but two people together can defend themselves; a rope that is woven of three strings is hard to break." Eccl. 4:9-12

"If two or three are gathered together in [Jesus'] name, [Jesus is] there with them.] Matt. 18:20

Success is not about education, career, degree, position, or wealth. Success is about having a relationship with God. And because God is a God of relationships. He places us a hunger for people. And God can never be our God if we are isolated. Therefore, SUCCESS is about having a good relationship with God and His people.

"Together you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of the body." 1 Cor. 12:27

"OHANA means family. Family means nobody gets left behind." - Lilo & Stitch, 2002

"We are one." - Lion King 2, 1998