A Valuable Suggestion

A big nation was having a quarrel with a small nation and decided to terrify its opponent with a grand naval demonstration in the latter's principal port. To this end, the big nation assembled all of its warships from around the world and prepared to send them on a journey of three hundred and fifty thousand miles to the designated rendezvous.

Just as preparations were underway, the President of the big nation received a note from the President of the small nation. The note read:

"My great and good friend, I hear that you are planning to showcase your navy in order to impress us with your power. How needless the expense! To prove to you that we are already aware of your capabilities, I have enclosed a list and description of all the ships you possess."

The great and good friend was so struck by the straightforward wisdom of the letter that he decided to keep his navy at home, ultimately saving one thousand million dollars. This financial prudence allowed him to secure a favorable decision when the cause of the quarrel was submitted to arbitration.