To solve this puzzle using a graph, introduce a notation in which, for example, wc/fg means that the wolf and the cabbage are on the left bank of the river and the ferryman and the goat are on the right bank. Then draw those arrangements of wolf, cabbage, goat, and ferryman that can be reached from the initial arrangement (wgcf/) and that are not arrangements to be avoided (such as (wg/fc) ). At each stage ask yourself, "Where can I go from here?" and draw lines or arrows pointing to those arrangements. This method gives the graph shown below