The Fourth Member

“Sir, is it not rather surprising that people should call me a fool?” Baloo asked the village chief.

“Well, Baloo, I don’t think you’re as big a fool as people believe you to be. Let’s see. Answer me this: There are four members in my family. One is my wife, the second is my daughter, the third is my son. Who is the fourth one?” asked the chief.

“Am I expected to know the details of your family, sir?” replied Baloo.

“Is the fourth member not myself, you fool?” remarked the village chief.

Now that Baloo had the answer, he thought himself wiser. Eager to demonstrate his newfound knowledge, he approached his friend Piloo. “Look here, there are four members in my family. One is my wife, the second is my daughter, the third is my son. Who is the fourth one?”

“Yourself, of course!” replied Piloo.

“Fool! The village chief is the fourth member. He has himself told me so!” announced Baloo with pride.