There are three boxes: one with only apples, one with only oranges, and one with both. All labels are wrong. You can pick one fruit from one box. How do you label all boxes correctly?

Why this works

At first glance, this riddle seems to entangle you in a web of confusion, but it cleverly invites you to unravel its secrets with just one simple action. The key lies in the statement that all the labels are incorrect; this means that the box labeled 'Mixed' cannot contain both types of fruit. So, if you draw a fruit from this box and find, say, an apple, you instantly know this box contains only apples. This revelation sets off a domino effect; since you now know the contents of one box, you can deduce the correct labels for the other two. The box labeled 'Apples' must then contain oranges (since it's incorrectly labeled), and the box labeled 'Oranges' must contain both fruits. What makes this riddle particularly satisfying is the way it plays with our assumptions about labeling and categorization. The moment you realize that the incorrect labels lead to a straightforward solution is the 'aha moment' that brings a smile to your face. This riddle not only encourages logical thinking but also subtly hints at the broader theme of misperception and the importance of investigating deeper truths. As a fun tidbit, this type of riddle has a long tradition in logic puzzles and has been used in various forms throughout history to challenge reasoning skills. It reminds us that sometimes, what we perceive at first glance can be misleading, urging us to dig a little deeper before jumping to conclusions.