In the given scenario, the advice given by the old man's friend in the village was to inform the lenders that he would only repay their money when all three of them were present. The question is whether this advice worked and how it played out.
The advice can be seen as a strategic move to ensure that the old man receives the money back from all three individuals simultaneously. By setting the condition that he will only repay the money when all of them are present, it creates a sense of urgency and dependence on each other. This condition can encourage the individuals to coordinate and communicate with each other to arrange a meeting with the old man.
The effectiveness of this advice would depend on various factors:
1. Motivation of the lenders: If the lenders are genuinely interested in getting their money back and are willing to cooperate, the condition set by the old man can prompt them to come together. They would understand that by coordinating and being present together, they increase their chances of receiving their repayment. In this case, the advice would likely work.
2. Communication and coordination: The success of the advice also relies on the lenders' ability to communicate and coordinate with each other. They would need to make arrangements and set a specific time and place to meet with the old man. If they are able to effectively coordinate their efforts, the advice is more likely to work.
3. Trust and reliability: The lenders should trust that the old man will indeed repay their money when they all come together. If there is a lack of trust or doubts about the old man's intention to fulfill his promise, it may hinder their willingness to coordinate and gather. Building trust among all parties involved is crucial for the advice to be effective.
4. External factors: External factors such as distance, availability, and personal circumstances of the lenders can also impact the outcome. If the lenders face challenges in traveling or have conflicting schedules, it may pose difficulties in arranging a meeting. These factors can affect the success of the advice.
In conclusion, whether the advice worked or not depends on the actions and response of the lenders. If they were motivated, willing to coordinate, and had trust in the old man's promise, the advice had the potential to work by prompting them to come together for repayment. However, without further information on the lenders' actions and the outcome, it is not possible to definitively determine if the advice was successful in practice.