The Parable of The Drinking Glasses
A man finds himself thirsty in the desert. At first he believes he can make it home on his own, without help. Eventually his thirst becomes too great so he sets out in search of water.
Before long he comes upon 2 merchants with similar tables but very different offers. One has a sign that proclaims “6 glasses - $1”. The other's sign reads “3 glasses - $2”. The man is puzzled by the very different offers. Why would anyone pay more for fewer glasses?
As he approaches the tables he notices that many, having gone to the cheaper vendor first, do not look relieved. Some of them, very curiously, continue on to the other table, after which they all appear refreshed and prepared to continue on their journey.
Perplexed by their seemingly irrational choice - to visit the second table, and spend even more money there - the man is eager to understand their behaviour. So, he stops one of them and inquires. To his surprise, he is told that only the 3 glasses being sold for $2 were filled with water.
