The professor had been around the university for many years, and during that time he had learned not to take on any responsibility that could be avoided. It was with substantial resistance, therefore, that he was persuaded to be an advisor on a student's dissertation.
All proceeded without incident and, on the date the paper was due, the student delivered a beautiful bound copy of his report to the professor.
Two months passed and the student hadn't heard a word, so made inquiry as to what the advisor thought of the paper.
"Well," said the professor, his eyes downcast and his voice filled with despair,
"I think it needs to be redone."
Dejected, the student decided to take another try at the report.
Two months later a new version was duly delivered, but again no response was received.
After a month of waiting the student made inquiry, and again the conclusion was the same.
Now totally beside himself, the student went back to work and rewrote the paper for a third time.
Two months later, he returned to the professor's office, new paper in hand, and began,
"I've researched and rewritten to the extent that I've left no stone unturned. I've considered every possible point of view and all available evidence has been analyzed. There is just nothing more I can do."
"Well," said the professor, with even more despair in his voice than before, "I suppose I will read this one ..."