hardlogic

Illustration for riddle: An old man wanted to leave all of his money to one of his three sons, but he didn't know which one h — Can you figure out this riddle?

An old man wanted to leave all of his money to one of his three sons, but he didn't know which one he should give it to. He gave each of them a few coins and told them to buy something that would be able to fill their living room. The first man bought straw, but there was not enough to fill the room. The second bought some sticks, but they still did not fill the room. The third man bought two things that filled the room, so he obtained his father's fortune. What were the two things that the man bought?

The wise son bought a candle and a box of matches. After lighting the candle, the light filled the entire room.

Why this works

This riddle plays with the idea of "filling" a space, leading us to think about physical objects rather than abstract concepts. The first two sons bought straw and sticks, which only partially filled the room, focusing on volume. In contrast, the third son cleverly interpreted the challenge by purchasing a candle and matches; when he lit the candle, the light illuminated the entire room, demonstrating that "filling" could also refer to filling it with light rather than just physical matter. This twist not only showcases his wisdom but also highlights the importance of thinking outside the box!

Common Wrong Answers

“A large piece of furniture”

A piece of furniture would take up space but would not fill the room with something like light or air, which is the key to the riddle.

“A blanket”

While a blanket can cover an area, it does not fill the room in the sense of creating an atmosphere or illuminating it, which is what the riddle emphasizes.

“Balloons”

Balloons can fill a space visually, but they do not provide the metaphorical 'filling' that light does, nor do they create the same impact as the candle and matches.

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