Sometimes we can become so focused on one little detail that we miss the bigger picture. This can be a real issue for folks working in law enforcement, as one little detail can make or break a case. It’s not unheard of for officers to allow themselves to be led on wild goose chases as they stay focused on a suspect or piece of evidence only to learn they were on the wrong track the entire time. Such was the case for one border patrol agent who could not figure out what Juan was smuggling across the border for the life of him.
Juan comes up to the Mexican border on his bicycle. He’s got two large bags over his shoulders. The guard stops him and says, “What’s in the bags?”
“Sand,” answered Juan.
The guard says, “We’ll just see about that – get off the bike!” The guard takes the bags and rips them apart, he empties them out and finds nothing in them but sand.
He detains Juan overnight and has the sand analyzed, only to discover that there is nothing but pure sand in the bags. He releases Juan, puts the sand into new bags, hefts them onto the man’s shoulders, and lets him cross the border.
The next day, the same thing happens. The guard asks, “What have you got?”
“Sand,” says Juan.
The guard does his thorough examination and discovers that the bags contain nothing but sand. He gives the sand back to Juan, and Juan crosses the border on his bicycle.
This sequence of events is repeated every day for a year.
Finally, Juan doesn’t show up one day and the guard meets him in a Cantina in Mexico.
“Hey, Buddy,” says the guard, “I know you are smuggling something. It’s driving me crazy. It’s all I think about… I can’t sleep. Just between you and me, what are you smuggling?”
Juan sips his beer and says, “Bicycles.”
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Sources:
“Border Guard Has No Idea That A Man Is Smuggling Things Right Under His Nose” Blissful Slot.