Bricks in the courtyard

While a friend and I
were visiting Annapolis,
 we noticed several students
on their hands and knees
 assessing the courtyard
 with pencils and clipboards in hand.

"What are they doing?"
I asked our tour guide.

"Each year,"
he replied with a grin,
"The upperclassmen
ask the freshmen
how many bricks it took
 to finish paving this courtyard."

When we were out of earshot
 of the freshmen,
 my friend asked our guide:
"So what's the answer?"

The guide replied:

 "One."
: )






(unknown)