A family had a chicken coop for their one dozen egg-producing hens. A terrible storm killed all but eight chickens. How many chickens did the family have the next morning?

Why this works

At first glance, this riddle seems to lead you into a trap, but it cleverly plays with our assumptions about counting and the implications of the word "had." The key to unraveling this puzzle lies in recognizing that the family’s total count of chickens doesn’t change based on their state of being alive or dead. While it’s tragic that eight chickens survived the storm, the riddle reminds us that the total number remains twelve—counting all the chickens that were originally there, regardless of their current vitality. This riddle taps into the nuances of language and logic, evoking that delightful "aha moment" when you realize that the question's phrasing encourages you to focus solely on the survivors while neglecting the broader context. It showcases an interesting aspect of how our brains can be led astray by the emotional weight we assign to life and death, while the numbers remain steadfast and unchanged. Interestingly, riddles like this have a long history, often used in ancient cultures as a way to sharpen critical thinking and reasoning skills. They invite us to think outside the box and challenge our perceptions, making them timeless puzzles that resonate even today. So, next time you encounter a riddle, remember: the answer may be hiding in plain sight, waiting for you to look beyond the obvious.