Hidden Animals

How many animals can you find in this story?

“Scram, you can’t catch me!” yelled the thief. While running to escape, his shirt skewered a box of nails. He ripped free, but skidded to a stop as he passed a policeman. He tried to run again, then cowered in fright. Crime doesn’t pay.

I found thirteen, listed in the order they’re found.

1. ram
2. ant
3. cat
4. ape
5. ewe
6. ox
7. kid
8. ass
9. man
10. nag
11. hen
12. cow
13. doe

Posted in Brain Teasers

Nearly A Victory, Quickly I Pass

Nearly a victory,
Quickly I pass,
A request of the chair,
I’m silver, not brass.

What am I?

Second. Second place is next to winning. Seconds, the measure of time, pass quickly. Seconding a motion is requested by the chair of the body in Parliament. And the second place finisher in many sporting events such as the Olympics is awarded the silver medal.

And as for why the unit of time is called a second, it goes back to the days of Ptolemy. A second of time is the second small part, or pars minuta secunda, of an hour. (Thanks to Tim J for researching it).

Posted in Riddles

Pitching On The Merry-Go-Round

Everly and I were playing on the merry-go-round at the local park. It was very large and we stood on opposite sides. As we spun the merry-go-round counter-clockwise, I threw a ball to Everly. Did the ball go to Everly, to the right or left of them?

Since the merry-go-round had moved while the ball was traveling to Everly the ball went to the right of them.

Posted in Brain Teasers

A Special-Sized Box

I have a box. The top has an area of 240 square inches, the side 300 square inches and the end 180 square inches. What are the dimensions of the box?

Length = 20
Width = 12
Depth = 15

Posted in Brain Teasers

I’m On A Horse

You’re riding a horse. To the right of you is a cliff and in front of you is an elephant moving at the same pace and you can’t overtake it. To the left of you is a hippo running at the same speed and a lion is chasing you. How do you get to safety?

Get off the merry-go-round.

Posted in Brain Teasers

Stocking the Shelves

Alfred and Bill are clerks at the local grocery store. Alfred can stock a shelf in 20 minutes, but Bill is new and takes 30 minutes. How long would it take for them to stock a shelf together?

Working together they can stock a shelf at a rate of 1/20 + 1/30 (or 5/60) per minute. They’ll finish in 12 minutes

Posted in Brain Teasers

A Box Without Hinges

A box without hinges, key or lid,
Yet golden treasure inside is hid.

What is it?

An egg.

(From J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit)

Posted in Riddles

Three Eyes But One Leg

I have three eyes but only one leg.
I still close one even if you beg.

What am I?

A traffic light. It has three “eyes” (the red, orange and green lights) and the leg is the pole holding it up. Many people beg the light to stay green as they’re approaching.

Posted in Riddles

Cornelius and the Flat Tire

Cornelius got a flat tire on a miserable, rainy day. As he was changing it on the side of the road, he placed the four lug nuts in the overturned hub cap. As our dear friend was moving back to put on the spare, he accidentally bumped the hub cap. He watched helplessly as all four lug nuts rolled into a deep sewer and were whisked away. Then our friend had a brilliant solution and within minutes was driving safely away.

What was his solution?

He removed one lug nut from each of the other 3 tires and used them to secure the spare tire, then drove to a tire shop.

Posted in Brain Teasers

Cannot Keep Until Given

You cannot keep me until you have given me. What am I?

Your word.

Posted in Riddles
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