Today is my husband’s last day of official work as a physician after forty years of practice! In honor of Alan’s many years working in a psychiatric hospital, and to introduce this exciting new chapter in our lives, I’m going to pass along a “test” for fun. In truth, I completely flunked, so if you do too, then—like me—you probably think more like a retiree than a four-year-old! 🙂
Theoretically, this test is to ascertain your mental state now. If you get one right you are doing okay; if you get none right you’d better go for counseling. (I’ll meet you there.)
There are 4 test questions. The first one is called the Giraffe Test
1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator? Stop and think about it and decide on your answer before you scroll down.
The correct answer: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do simple things in an overly complicated way.
Test Number Two: the Elephant Test
2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?
If you said, “Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant, and close the refrigerator,” that would be the Wrong Answer.
Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests your ability to think through the repercussions of your previous actions.
Test Number Three: Lion King Test
3. The Lion King is hosting an Animal Conference. All the animals attend … except one. Which animal does not attend?
Correct Answer: The Elephant. The elephant is in the refrigerator. You just put him in there. This tests your memory.
Okay, even if you did not answer the first three questions correctly, you still have one more chance to show your true abilities.
Test Number Four: the Crocodile Test
4. There is a river you must cross but it is used by crocodiles, and you do not have a boat. How do you manage it?
Correct Answer: You jump into the river and swim across. Haven’t you
been lis-ten-ing? All the crocodiles are attending the Animal Conference. This tests whether you can make logical deductions from previous information.
According to Anderson Consulting Worldwide, around 90% of the Retirees they tested got all questions wrong, but many preschoolers got several correct answers. Anderson Consulting says this conclusively proves the theory that most Retirees do not have the brains of a four-year-old.*
“Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25). Really, though, if you study this passage (Matthew 11:16-30), you will notice that the truly wise are those who see the works of Christ and believe that he really is the Son of God who has come to take away the sins of the world. For whatever reason, adults have more trouble believing the truth than small children. Do you suppose it’s because people are told so many lies as they grow up that they become jaded?
*This joke “test” was an email forward, so I’m not perfectly sure if Anderson Consulting Worldwide actually had anything to do with it, but it is cute, isn’t it? 🙂 Also, we’re having various of our kids visiting this summer, so some of my posts may be on the lighter side if I don’t have enough time to write. I will glean from forwards sent to me by friends and hope they encourage your hearts. Also, I pray you can have (and enjoy) a little vacation this summer, despite COVID. May the Lord bless and keep you safe!
Summer Setting 