A farmer, chicken, a bag of grain, and a fox river crossing puzzle | MindYourLogic River Crossing Puzzle

A farmer is faced with a classic puzzle : He needs to transport a chicken, a bag of grain, and a fox across a river using a boat that can only carry him and one item at a time. The challenge is complicated by the fact that if left alone, the chicken will eat the grain, and the fox will eat the chicken. To solve this puzzle, the farmer must carefully plan each trip to ensure the safety of all items. Here's a detailed step-by-step solution: 

Initial Trip – Taking the Chicken Across the River: 

The farmer first takes the chicken across the river and leaves it on the far side. This is a crucial first step because it prevents the chicken from being alone with the grain or the fox during the subsequent trips. 

Return Trip – Farmer Returns Alone: 

The farmer then returns to the original side of the river, leaving the chicken safely on the far side. At this point, the chicken is alone, but it's safe as there is no immediate threat. 

Second Trip – Taking the Fox Across the River: 

The farmer now takes the fox across the river to the far side, where the chicken is already waiting. Since the fox and the chicken cannot be left alone together, the farmer must take the chicken back with him on his return trip to avoid any harm. 

Third Trip – Returning the Chicken: 

Upon reaching the original side with the fox, the farmer leaves the fox and takes the chicken back to the far side of the river. This step is necessary to ensure that the chicken does not get eaten by the fox when left alone. 

Fourth Trip – Taking the Grain Across the River: 

The farmer then takes the bag of grain across the river and leaves it on the far side with the fox. At this point, the fox is not a threat to the grain, and the chicken remains on the original side. 

Final Trip – Fetching the Chicken: 

Finally, the farmer returns one last time to the original side to fetch the chicken. He brings the chicken across the river, ensuring that all three items – the chicken, the grain, and the fox – are safely transported across without any of the potential problems occurring. 

By following these steps meticulously, the farmer ensures that at no point are the chicken and the grain left alone together, and at no point are the chicken and the fox left alone together. This careful planning allows him to successfully get all three items across the river without any of them being harmed. 

Conclusion: 

The river crossing puzzle illustrates the effectiveness of strategic planning and problem-solving. By carefully managing each step—ensuring that the chicken, grain, and fox are never left in harmful combinations—the farmer successfully navigates the challenge. This methodical approach demonstrates how thoughtful preparation and precise execution can overcome seemingly complex problems, ensuring all items are safely transported across the river.