In the illustration Hendrick and Katruen are seen engaged in the
exhilarating sport of attempting the capture of a couple of hogs.
Why did they fail?
[Illustration]
Strange as it may seem, a complete answer is afforded in the little
puzzle game that I will now explain.
Copy the simple diagram on a conveniently large sheet of cardboard or
paper, and use four marked counters to represent the Dutchman, his wife,
and the two hogs.
At the beginning of the game these must be placed on the squares on which
they are shown. One player represents Hendrick and Katruen, and the other
the hogs. The first player moves the Dutchman and his wife one square
each in any direction (but not diagonally), and then the second player
moves both pigs one square each (not diagonally); and so on, in turns,
until Hendrick catches one hog and Katruen the other.
This you will find would be absurdly easy if the hogs moved first, but
this is just what Dutch pigs will not do.