Imagine the scene: four children are comfortably sitting on the branches of a large tree. The sun is shining, the mood seems carefree… until a couple of them pull out a saw. And that’s when everything changes!

What first appears harmless quickly turns into a real puzzle. One of these children is about to make such an obvious mistake that you can’t help but wonder how he doesn’t see it. But be careful—this little observation game is more logical than it seems.

So, who is making the biggest mistake? Take a moment to picture the scene and try to guess before reading on.

Look before you judge: the trap of first impressions

At first glance, the answer seems obvious: the one sawing the very branch he’s sitting on, right? We immediately think he’s going to fall, making him the clear winner of the “biggest mistake” award.

But if we step back for a moment (and that’s exactly the point of this riddle), other details are worth considering.

Maybe another child is cutting the branch where someone else is sitting, which could also lead to danger—causing a fall or starting a fight. A third child seems to be doing nothing at all… but staying passive while everyone else is taking action isn’t always the smartest choice either.

And what about the one who calmly watches the scene without intervening? Is he the wisest—or simply indifferent?

The logic behind the riddle

This little observation game is more than just entertainment—it invites us to reflect on our own behavior. In life, we too sometimes end up sawing the branch we’re sitting on—often without even realizing it.

We act out of habit, rush into things, or make decisions out of fear of missing out… and end up harming our own balance. This simple image is a perfect metaphor for the difference between acting quickly and acting wisely.

So, what’s the answer?

If you guessed that the boy with the red hat (number 4) is the one making the biggest mistake, congratulations! He’s the one sawing the branch he’s sitting on, which guarantees he’ll fall.

It’s an obvious mistake—but a deeply human one: taking action without thinking through the immediate consequences.

The hidden lesson

This fun little challenge reminds us of a universal truth: before we act, it’s always better to take a step back.
How many times do we react in the moment, without analyzing the situation?
How often do we make quick decisions that, with just a bit more thought, would have been completely different?

In everyday life, “sawing the branch you’re sitting on” can take many forms: accepting a project you don’t have time for, saying yes when you really mean no, or ignoring a problem and hoping it will solve itself.

The key is learning to observe before acting.

So next time you face an important decision, remember this image: four children, a tree, a saw… and one mistake that changes everything.

And you—did you guess the right answer on your first try?