This delightful pond puzzle asks you to solve a geometric problem with moral undertones

The Puzzle Wall, From George Arnold et al., The Magician’s Own Book, 1857.

This vintage brain teaser posted to Futility Closet uses geometry to illustrate how wealthy individuals can manipulate access to shared resources. Can you solve it?

"Suppose there was a pond, around which four poor men built their houses," reads the setup, accompanied by a sketch s…