Over one hundred years ago, there was a linesman whose job was to wave a lantern whenever the drawbridge was open, so the train would stop. After ten years of dedicated service, one day during his watch, a train fell into the river. He was arrested and tried for negligence of duty.

During the trial, several character witnesses testified that he was a sincere, dedicated and honest worker. Finally, his attorney put the linesman on the stand. His attorney asked him the key question “Did you or did you not wave the lantern?” The linesman fidgeted around, broke out into a sweat and after an extremely long pause, stammered out “Yes I did”. The jury acquitted him.

After the last person left the courtroom, the lawyer angrily grabbed the linesman, threw him against the wall, and yelled at him “What took you so long to answer the simple question? We could have lost the case”. The linesman looked at the attorney, replied sadly “Sir, you asked me the wrong question – you asked me if I waved the lantern, but not if the lantern was lit.