Interview of a Computer Programmer

Bunty, a fresh computer graduate from a world- class University, goes
for an interview in a software company.

  The interviewer is Sunder, a grubby old man.  And the first question
he asks Bunty is, 'Are you good at logic?'

  'Of course,' replies Bunty.

  'Let me test you,' replies Sunder.  'Two men come down a chimney.  One
comes with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face.
  Which one would wash his face?'

  Bunty stares at Sunder.  'Is that a test in Logic?' Sunder nods.

  'The one with the dirty face washes his face', Bunty answers wearily.

  'Wrong.  The one with the clean face washes his face.  Examine the
simple logic.  The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the
clean face and thinks his face is clean.  The one with the clean face
looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty.  So,
the one with the clean face washes his face.'

  'Hmm.  I never thought of that," says Bunty.  'Give me another test.'

  Sunder holds up two fingers, 'Two men come down a chimney.  One comes
out with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face.  Which
one washes his face?'

  'We have already established that.  The one with the clean face washes
his face.'

'Wrong.  Each one washes one's face.  Examine the simple logic.  The one
with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his
face is clean.  The one with the clean face looks at the one with the
dirty face and thinks his face is dirty.  So, the one with the clean
face washes his face.  When the one with the dirty face sees the one
with the clean face washing his face, he also washes his face.  So each
one washes one's face.'


'I didn't think of that!' says Bunty.  'It's shocking to me that I could
make an error in logic.  Test me again!'


Sunder holds up two fingers, 'Two men come down a chimney.  One comes
out with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face.  Which
one washes his face?'

  'Each one washes his face.'

  'Wrong.  Neither one washes his face.  Examine the simple logic.  The
one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks
his face is clean.  The one with the clean face looks at the one with
the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty.  But when the one with
clean face sees that the one with the dirty face doesn't wash his face,
he also doesn't wash his face.  So neither one washes his face.'

  Bunty is desperate. 'I am qualified for this job. Please give me one
more test!'

  He groans when Sunder lifts his two fingers, 'Two men come down a
chimney.  One comes out with a clean face and the other comes out with a
dirty face.  Which one washes his face?'

  'Neither one washes his face', Bunty replies, 'I have learnt this logic.'

  'Wrong, again.  Do you now see, Bunty, why programming knowledge is
Insufficient for this job?  Tell me, how is it possible for two men to
come down the same chimney, and for one to come out with a clean face
and the other with a dirty face?  Don't you see the flaw in the premise``