Asking The Wrong Questions?

Quite often we don’t get the answers we expect because we’re not asking the right questions. It may seem silly but sometimes two questions that sound the same can have different answer. This often happens when one of the facts surrounding the question is not what we assume it to be. Let me demonstrate what I mean.

A super computer with a very good data link was installed on the pavement in Adderley Street, Cape Town and people were invited to ask questions as it was claimed that the computer had access to every bit of information and could answer any question.

The people were amazed at the speed at which the computer spat out the correct answers. One fella stood there watching it and decided to get the computer tied up.

“Where is my father?” he asked and two seconds after he had his thumbprint scanned, the computer came back and said: “Your father is fishing in Richards Bay.”

“Gotcha!” he said. “That is not my father. My father is dead.” The operator said it was impossible as the computer never made any mistakes and they tried again, scanning the other thumbprint. The answer came back the same.

“Ok, let’s try something else,” said the operator as he was tapping new commands on the keyboard. Moments later the reply came back. It said:

“Your mother’s husband is in plot 1785, Stikland Cemetery. And just for the record; your father is still fishing in Richards Bay!”

So there you have it. Be careful of how you phrase your questions and don’t ask them if there is a possibility of you not liking the answer.


Have a wonderful Friday and don’t ask any wrong questions.