The Old Man's Wheelbarrow Wager

A cocky, muscular young construction worker thought he was the strongest man on the site, especially compared to one older, seemingly weaker colleague. He boasted, he taunted, and he challenged. But when the older man finally took him up on his bet, the young hotshot found himself in for a very surprising ride.

A muscular young man was boasting about his physique on the building site where he worked.

He claimed he could beat anyone on the site in a trial of strength and took particular delight in mocking one of the older workers. Eventually the older man became irritated by the taunts.

“Okay,” said the older man, “put your money where your mouth is. I’ll bet you a week’s wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that outbuilding that you won’t be able to wheel back.”

“You’re a weak old man!” said the cocky young upstart. “This will be like taking candy from a baby. But if you don’t mind losing a week’s wages, off you go.”

With that, the older man grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles.

Then, nodding to the young man, he said: “Okay, get in.”