What is the purpose for the egg...
Columbus made no answer; but after a while he took an egg from a dish and said to the company: ``Who among you, gentlemen, can make this egg stand on end?''
One by one those at the table tried the experiment. When the egg had gone entirely around and none had succeeded, all said that it could not be done.
Then Columbus took the egg and struck its small end gently upon the table so as to break the shell a little. After that there was no trouble in making it stand upright.
``Gentlemen,'' said he, ``what is easier than to do this which you said was impossible? It is the simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do it--AFTER HE HAS BEEN SHOWN HOW!''
Explain what the purpose is for this egg in the story?
| 