Grand Master Hiram Abif wished to send a Master Mason to open a new lodge. He told his officers that whoever answered a question most ably would be appointed. Placing a brass compass on the tracing board, he asked, "Who can say what this is without calling its name?"
The Senior Deacon said, "No-one can call it a wooden square."
Then the Junior Steward walked over and used the compass to inscribe a point within a circle.
Hiram smiled and said, "The Senior Deacon loses." The Junior Steward was sent to be the Worshipful Master of the new lodge.