A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He lowered his altitude and spotted a woman on the ground below. He shouted to her: Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I dont know where I am.
The woman replied: Youre in a hot air balloon approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.
He rolled his eyes and said: You must be a math teacher.
I am, replied the woman, How did you know?
Well, answered the balloonist, everything you have told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and Im still lost. Frankly, youve not been much help to me.
The woman smiled and said, You must be a from the Ministery of Education.
I am, replied the balloonist. How did you know?
Well, said the woman, you dont know where you are or where you are going. Youve risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. Youre in exactly the same position you were in before we met but, somehow, its my fault.
