Carry a Long Pole Through the Gate

A man from Lu tried to enter the City Gate carrying a long pole.

First, he held the pole upright, but the pole could not pass through the gate.

Then he held it horizontally; but it still could not pass through. He was stumped.

By and by an old man came along and said to him, "I am not a Saint; but I have a lot of practical experience. Why not cut the pole in two at the middle?"

So the man cut the pole in two at the middle.