<pre>
   FOUR HUNGRY MEN CROSS A BRIDGE

                by

 Karen Lingel, Physicist and Penguinist



 Four men start out to cross the sea
 And yet they all walk different speeds====
====
 The first, a sprinter, he goes fast
 He leaves the others in the past====
====
 The second takes a bit more time
 [[[Note to myself: think up a rhyme]]]
 The third's a somewhat pokey man
 He strolls along, sees what he can.
 The last one is so very slow
 You'd think he had no place to go====
====

 So now they come upon a bridge
 And on the other side -- a fridge====
====
 Well -- you know men -- they've gotta see
 What's inside the fridge to eat====
====
 One flashlight is the light they've got
 To guide them to the eating spot.
 The batteries will only last
 Seventeen minutes -- that's a fact.
 The bridge, alas, -- and here's the trap --
 Is apparently a piece of crap.

 So only two men at a time
 can cross the bridge -- or they'll sink in brine====
====
 How can they all then make the trip?
 And use the light so no one slips?
 Send the fast guys first across
 The fastest returns with little loss.
 The pokey ones are next to go
 While Fast Guy waits (they sure are slow)
 Then send the other fast guy back
 To get his friend and complete the pack.

 And this rounds out, for all to see
 Another FAQ in poetry.
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