easywhat am-i

I was carried into a dark room, and set on fire. I wept, and then my head was cut off. What am I?

Candle

Why this works

This riddle uses vivid imagery and metaphorical language to describe the life cycle of a candle. When a candle is "carried into a dark room," it is brought in to provide light, which it does when it is "set on fire" (lit). As it burns, the wax melts and drips, which is represented by the "wept" part, and eventually, the wick or the top part of the candle—often referred to as the "head"—is consumed or burnt away, hence "my head was cut off." The cleverness lies in how these actions are personified to create a dramatic narrative around an everyday object!

Common Wrong Answers

“A match”

While a match is struck and set on fire, it does not typically weep or have a head that can be cut off like a candle does.

“A log”

A log can be set on fire in a dark room, but it does not weep or have a head, making it inconsistent with the elements of the riddle.

“A light bulb”

A light bulb can be used to illuminate a dark room, but it does not catch fire, weep, or have a head that can be cut off.

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