Albert Einstein, the world-renowned physicist, was brilliant in science but famously absent-minded in daily life. One day, while living in Princeton, New Jersey, he was traveling by train.
As the conductor came through to collect tickets, Einstein started searching his pockets but couldn’t find his ticket. He checked his coat, pants, briefcase—nothing. The conductor recognized him and kindly said, “Don’t worry, Dr. Einstein. I know who you are. No need to show your ticket.”
Einstein nodded gratefully, but as the conductor moved on, he noticed Einstein was still searching frantically under his seat and in his luggage. Confused, the conductor returned and said, “Dr. Einstein, really, it’s fine. You don’t need to find the ticket. We trust you.”
Einstein looked up and replied, “Young man, I also know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going!”
This story perfectly captures Einstein’s charm, humor, and tendency to lose himself in his thoughts—even when it came to something as simple as a train ticket!