Originally Posted by The_Muenks

a farmer has three sons. to decide which of the three should become heir to the farm, he poses a challenge to them to find out which is wise enough to manage it. he tells them whomever can fill the barn the most, will inherit the farm. he gives them each a small amount of money with which to buy something to fill the barn.
the oldest son goes to town and buys a bail of hay. he brings it back and dumps it out over the a small corner of the barn.
the middle son goes to town and uses all the money on a bag of feathers. he brings it back, and it fills slightly more of the barn than the hay did.
the youngest son goes to town and buys two small items. he brings them back and fills the entire barn, and becomes heir to the land.

what were the items, and what did he fill the barn with?