Puzzle | Farmer, Goat, Wolf and Cabbage (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 10 Apr, 2026

A man bought a wolf, a goat, and a cabbage from the market. On his way home, he came to a river that he had to cross using a small boat. The boat could carry only the man and one of the three items at a time.

There was one difficulty:

• If the wolf and goat were left alone together, the wolf would eat the goat.
• If the goat and cabbage were left alone together, the goat would eat the cabbage.

**How could the man carry all three safely across the river?

Check if you were right - full answer with solution below.

**Solution:

• The farmer begins by taking the goat across the river.
  → He leaves the goat on the opposite side and returns alone, ensuring no conflict occurs.
• Next, the farmer takes the wolf across the river.
  → Since the wolf cannot be left alone with the goat, he leaves the wolf on the far side and brings the goat back with him.
• Then, the farmer takes the cabbage across the river.
  → He safely leaves the cabbage with the wolf (as they do not harm each other) and returns alone.
• Finally, the farmer takes the goat across the river once again, completing the transfer.