However, if we take a step back (and this is the crux of the issue), we notice that there are other elements worth paying attention to.
Perhaps another child, busy sawing off the branch a classmate is sitting on, is putting themselves in danger in another way, causing a fall or an argument. A third child seems to do nothing at all… but standing still while others work isn’t necessarily the best idea!
And who observes this scene calmly, without interfering? Is he the wisest, or simply the most indifferent?
The logic of the puzzle
This little observation game is more than just entertainment: it forces us to reflect on our behavior. In life, we too sometimes saw off the branch we’re sitting on , sometimes without even realizing it.
We act out of habit, haste, or fear of missing out… and as a result, we harm our well-being. This simple image perfectly illustrates the difference between acting quickly and cautiously.
So what is the answer?
If you chose the boy in the red hat (number 4) as the biggest loser in the game, bravo! He’s the one who makes the most glaring mistake. He cuts off the branch he’s sitting on, dooming himself to a certain fall.
An obvious but terrible human error: acting without realizing the immediate consequences of your choices.
The lesson hidden behind the riddle
This fun exercise reminds us of a universal truth: it’s always best to pause before acting.
How often do we react impulsively, without analyzing the situation?
How often do we make a hasty decision that, with a little thought, could have turned out completely differently?
In everyday life, “sawing off the branch you’re sitting on” can take a thousand forms: accepting a project you don’t have time for, saying “yes” when you mean “no,” or ignoring a problem in the hope it will solve itself.
The key is to learn to observe before you act .
So the next time you have to make an important decision, think of this image: four kids, a tree, a saw… and one mistake that changes everything.
And you, did you manage to find the correct answer the first time?
