Question

‘Diamond Cuts Diamond’ by J.H. Parker

Answer 1

‘Diamond Cuts Diamond’ by J.H. Parker is a short, funny story about two people trying to outsmart each other. It would be a good choice for students studying practical intelligence. In the story, the main character is put in a situation where he needs to think quickly to beat his opponent. The title is an idiom that means when two smart or skilled people compete, the winner usually depends on who can outsmart the other. This is called a battle of wits, and the smarter person wins in the end.

The story shows how the main character can stay calm and alert under pressure by playing on the other person’s pride or expectations. The character doesn’t use physical strength or direct confrontation to get what they want. Instead, they use irony, quick thinking, and subtle manipulation. Parker creates a situation in which the bad guy’s ‘trap’ is turned on them. This shows that real victory often comes from understanding people’s minds rather than fighting them directly. Through this silly fight, the story teaches us how important it is to be present and how no one is truly untouchable when put up against someone with an equally sharp mind.