The Flooded Market

A merchant sent her goods to market by cart. The road flooded.

She sent the cart again an hour later. Still flooded.

She could keep sending carts hourly, wearing down the horses, or she could wait. She chose to double the interval each time.

By her fifth attempt, the waters had receded. Her goods arrived.

Her competitor, who had sent carts every hour, had exhausted his horses. His goods arrived late and cost more than they earned.