The Engineer and Programmer

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A programmer and an engineer are sitting next to each other
on a long flight from LA to NY. The Programmer leans over to
the Engineer and asks if he would like to play a fun game.
The Engineer just wants to take a nap, so he politely
declines and rolls over to the window to catch a few winks.
The Programmer persists and explains that the game is really
easy and a lot of fun. He explains 'I ask you a question, and
if you don't know the answer, you pay me $5.' Again, the
Engineer politely declines and tries to get some sleep. The
Programmer, now somewhat agitated, says 'OK, If you don't
know the answer you pay me $5, and if I don't know the
answer, I will pay you 50!' This catches the Engineer's
complete attention, and he sees no end to this torment unless
he plays, so he agrees to the game. The Programmer asks the
first question. 'What's the distance from the earth to the
moon?' The Engineer doesn't say a word, reaches in to his
wallet, pulls out a five-dollar bill and hands it to the
Programmer. Now, it's the Engineer's turn. He asks the
Programmer: 'What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes
down with four?' The Programmer looks at him with a puzzled
look. He takes out his laptop computer and searches all his
references. He taps into the Airphone with his modem and
searches the Net and the Library of Congress.Frustrated, he
sends E-mails to all his co-workers and friends he knows. All
to no avail. After over an hour, he wakes the Engineer and
hands him $50. The Engineer politely takes the $50 and turns
away to get back to sleep. The Programmer, more than a little
miffed, shakes the Engineer and asks, 'Well, so what IS the
answer?' Without a word, the Engineer reaches into his
wallet, hands the Programmer $5 and goes back to sleep.