The Sheep’s Will

A farmer dies leaving a will dividing his flock of nineteen sheep with the following ratios:

Half to his oldest son, a quarter to the middle son and one fifth to his youngest son.

Without cutting any sheep up, how did the executor of the will fulfill the farmer’s wishes?

The executor went to the neighbouring farm and asked to borrow a sheep for a few minutes. Then he returned to the sons and said, “Half of the (now) twenty sheep is 10. A quarter of the twenty sheep is 5. A fifth of the twenty sheep is 4. 10 + 5 + 4 = 19. Then the executor took the borrowed 20th sheep back to the neighbour.

Thanks to Annette for sending this in.

Posted in Brain Teasers

I’m Usually Quite Pleasant

I’m usually quite pleasant
As you roam and play,
But if you look into my eyes,
I’ll not look away.

Once you turn away from me,
I’ll attack if I stay dry,
Better grab a pail of water,
I’ll not stop until I die.

What am I?

An Enderman, from Minecraft.

Enderman are normally passive, but they become hostile if a player looks directly at them. The Enderman will stare back until the player looks away, and then attack the player. A bucket of water is the best way to defeat an Enderman.

Posted in Riddles

Man Living His Life Underwater

A man dove into the water with no tank, snorkel or any other device to allow him to breathe, yet he stayed down there to live for the rest of his life. How is this possible?

He drowned within a few minutes, which was the rest of his life.

Posted in Brain Teasers

Bought By the Yard

I am bought by the yard but worn by the foot. What am I?

Carpet. Worn is used in the sense of a well-worn item.

(found on r/riddles)

Posted in Riddles
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I Am And Yet Cannot

I am and yet cannot,
I’m an idea, yet can rot,
I’m two but none,
On land but on sea.

What am I?

A paradox / pair of docks.

Posted in Riddles

Bricks to Finish a Building

How many bricks does it take to finish a brick building?

One (the last one is the only one that can finish the building).

Posted in Riddles

Six Glasses In a Row

There are six glasses in a row. The first three are full of water, and the next three are empty. By moving only one glass how can you make them alternate between full and empty?

Pour the water from the 2nd glass into the 5th glass.

Posted in Brain Teasers

A Perfect Gentleman

He was the perfect gentleman even though his nephew couldn’t see it. Who was he?

A fine chap with a blind nephew (or an exemplary uncle who died before his nephew was born).

Posted in Brain Teasers

Soft And Fragile Is My Skin

Soft and fragile is my skin
I get my growth in mud
I’m dangerous as much as pretty
For if not careful, I draw blood.

A thorn.

Posted in Riddles

Take Off My Clothes, Puts Its On

When I take off my clothes, it puts on its clothes.
When I put on my clothes, it takes off its clothes.

A clothes hanger.

Posted in Riddles