Alexander is stranded on an island covered in forest. Lightning strikes the west end and starts a fire. The wind blows east, driving the fire toward him. There are cliffs on all sides. He has no water. How does he survive?

Why this works

At first glance, this riddle seems to present an insurmountable challenge for Alexander, but it cleverly flips our expectations on their head with a brilliant survival strategy. The key lies in understanding how fire behaves and the concept of "burnt ground." By lighting a fire at the east end of the island, Alexander creates a controlled burn that consumes everything in its path. As the wind drives the original fire eastward, it encounters the already burnt area, which the flames cannot reignite, allowing Alexander to safely stand in that patch of land. This riddle elegantly showcases the cleverness of using one's surroundings and the power of foresight—qualities often celebrated in survival tales throughout history. The "aha moment" comes when we realize that, rather than fleeing the flames, he can outsmart them by strategically using fire to create a safe haven. This tactic of creating a "firebreak" has roots in traditional land management practices, where controlled burns are employed to prevent larger, uncontrollable wildfires. In fact, many indigenous cultures around the world have employed this strategy for centuries, highlighting the wisdom of understanding and respecting nature’s forces. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the way to survive is not to run away from danger but to strategically navigate it. Next time you face a seemingly impossible situation, think of Alexander and his ingenious method—there's often a creative solution lurking just beneath the surface!