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)
One In China
I am one in China,
Two in Indonesia,
Three in the Philippines,
None in Japan.
What am I?
The letter ‘i’.
My Motor Revs, But I’m No Rocket
My motor revs, but I’m no rocket,
I’ll hit you deep within your pocket,
I’m a little tart, don’t be afraid,
Unless life’s gift – then quick, seek aid!
A lemon. It’s a citrus fruit whose juice is acidic and can be used to conduct electricity for motors. A car or other purchase that has problems is known as a lemon and can be expensive to repair. Lemons have a tart flavor but do little harm (unless you get it in a cut, then it hurts like the dickens). The old saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” (I know, it’s spelled aid not ade but it sounds the same and wouldn’t make any sense the other way. It all works out nicely when the riddle is told instead of read.)
I Have Hundreds of Legs
I have hundreds of legs but I can only lean,
You make me feel dirty so you can feel clean.
What am I?
A broom.
Take Away All My Letters
Take away my first letter and I remain the same. Take away my last letter and I remain unchanged. Remove all my letters and I’m still me.
What am I?
A mail carrier. Letters in this sense are envelopes rather than the letters of the alphabet.
A Problem In Many People’s Lives
I am a problem in many people’s lives. At times (even more than once) I’m useful. The older I grow, the less useful I become. Who am I?
Credit or debt. Debt is a problem in many people’s lives, but in order to go to school or make a large purchase, it can be useful. As your debt grows older, it’s more unpleasant than useful.
Enjoyed By Some, Despised By Others
I am enjoyed by some, despised by others. Some take me for granted, some treasure me like a gift. I last forever, unless you break me first.
Marriage.