Missionaries and cannibals

bin Hassad was on his way to The Great Library at Alexandria when he came across a river. Being a very good swimmer, he was preparing to cross when he heard a commotion coming from around the bend behind some trees. He walked over to see what was happening. Three tall white-robed Arabs whom he realised were missionaries were talking loudly among themselves, there was a canoe nearby and three other fierce looking men with rings in their noses. Obviously they were cannibals from the deepest part of Africa.

"What is the problem", asked bin Hassad. The missionares turned to the stranger and explained that they needed to cross the river, they only had a two man canoe, if ever they were outnumbered by the cannibals on either bank, they would be eaten. How to get across, all safely to continue on their mission? They added that they would be most grateful for any plan he could see that would achieve this.

It did not take binHassad long to figure it. What plan did he come up with?

You can try the beginning of various strategies by clicking on the links below:

MMMCCC + Boat ~~~~~~~

  1. a missionary rows across on his own
  2. a cannibal rows across on his own
  3. a missionary and a cannibal row across
  4. 2 missionaries row across
  5. 2 cannibals row across

The first starting situation is 3 missionaries (MMM), 3 cannibals (CCC) and boat. If you have returned here from any link it is because you have chosen options that lead back to the starting position. Or, more likely, as a mean punishment, because you have got a missionary eaten. Life is sacred, please take care.