This extract is from Iain Murray's The life of Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones 1889-1981 The first forty years
Llangeitho, like many other villages, was rich in characters. Time will only allow me to mention three of them. One of the most original was a shoemaker — or Ianto Crydd (‘the boot’) as he was known by some. His workshop was always full and that was for several reasons. One reason was that he talked so much that he tended to neglect his work, and the only way to make sure of retrieving one’s shoes was to stay in the workshop until he finished the work! He was a kind creature and dear to many. Here is one sample of his ability. One day a farmer went to the shoemaker in great distress. His eldest daughter had failed an examination at the Tregaron Intermediate School and the poor girl was nearly heartbroken. This wasn’t the first time for her to fail, and every time she failed in the same subject, namely, algebra. He, the father, did not understand, and he came to the shoemaker and asked, ‘What is this algebra that this lass always fails in? What is it?’ Immediately the shoemaker began to explain and said, ‘Oh! algebra! Think now of a train leaving Aberystwyth with thirty passengers on it. It comes to Llanrhystyd Road and two get out and one steps in. On arriving at Llanilar, three get out and no one enters. Tregaron, five get off and six enter. Then from station to station until they arrive at Bronwydd Arms where twelve enter. At last the train reaches Carmarthen. Now this is the problem, this is the question — What was the guard’s name?’ ‘Dear me,’ said the farmer, ‘no wonder the poor lass fails.’ And he went home to sympathise with his daughter.