He told them that he would call each of them in one at a time for a final interview the next day, and that he would ask each one of them the same question. Whoever answered the question the best would be the one hired.All applicants agreed that this was fair.
The next day, the first applicant called in was from Harvard. The president posed the question, "What is the fastest thing in the world?" The young man thought for a moment and replied, "That would have to be a thought."
"Why do you say that?" asked the President.
"Well, a thought takes no time at all......it is in your mind in an
instant, then gone again," said the young man.
"Ahh, very good. Thank you," replied the President.
Next the same question was posed to the young man from Yale, "What is the
fastest thing in the world?" The young man paused and replied, "That would
have to be a blink."
"Why?" asked the President.
"Because you don't even think about a blink, it's just a reflex. You do it
in an instant." The President thanked him, then called in the next person.
The young man from MIT was asked the same question, "What is the fastest
thing in the world?" and after hesitating for a brief moment, he replied,
"I would have to say electricity."
"Why?" asked again.
"Because a man can flip a switch, and immediately, three miles away a
light will go on."
"I see, very good," replied the President.
Finally, the young man from NUS was called in. He, too was asked, "What is
the fastest thing in the world?"
"That's easy...." he replied,
"that would have to be diarrhoea (lao sai)!"
Rather stunned, the President asked, "Why do you say that?" "Well, last
night after dinner, I way lying in my bed and got the worst stomach
cramps, and before I could THINK... BLINK... or TURN ON THE LIGHTS,it all
came out" (He got the job........)