Tree Math

A Norwegian, Ole Oleson, came in to apply for a job. The boss didn't want to hire that #$%$ Norwegian, but didn't want to say so straight out because of Ole's reknown temper. So the boss thought & thought & came up with a solution.

So the boss said to Ole: "I want to you write out the number 9 without using numbers."

Ole thought & thought. Then he said: "Ah, I got dah answer!" He took a pencil & paper & drew 3 trees.

The boss said: "Ole, what is THAT?!"

Ole replied: "Well, tree & tree & tree is 9".

The boss thought about this & said: "Well, O.k. then. Now give me the number 99 without using numbers."

Ole said: "Dat's easy!" He wet the end of his finger & smudged a spot on each tree.

The boss said: "Now what the heck is THAT?"

Ole replied: "Vell, dat is easy! Dirty tree & dirty tree & dirty tree is 99!"

The boss is getting worried now. He says: "O.k., Ole. Do the same thing again, but this time the number is 100."

Ole thought & thought, then he said: "I got it!" Ole drew a little mark at the bottom of each tree.

Now the boss looks at this & says: "Ole, what is this?!"

Ole replies: " Vell, a little dog came along & pooped at the base of each tree. Now it is dirty tree & a turd, dirty tree & a turd & dirty tree & a turd, which makes 100!"

"Now, boss, ven do I start da job?"