You are driving a bus. At the first stop, 4 people get on. At the second stop, 8 get on and 2 get off. At the third stop, 3 get off and 4 get on. What colour are the bus driver's eyes?

Why this works

At first glance, this riddle seems to lead you down a winding path of numbers and calculations, but it cleverly flips the script by disguising its true focus. The key lies in the opening statement: "You are driving a bus." This little detail subtly positions the reader as the bus driver, making it easy to overlook the significance of that role while you’re busy calculating passengers. The riddle invites you to get lost in the math, but the "aha moment" arises when you realize the question isn’t about the bus at all; it’s about you, the individual engaging with the riddle. This playful twist highlights how easily we can be misdirected by extraneous details when the answer lies right in front of us, reflecting a common human experience—overthinking situations that are much simpler than they seem. The cleverness of this riddle lies in its ability to lead us on a journey only to reveal that the destination is self-reflection. It reminds us that sometimes we need to step back and see things from a different perspective to uncover the truth. As a fun tidbit, riddles like this have been a staple of storytelling for centuries, with roots in ancient cultures that used them both for entertainment and as tools for teaching critical thinking. This riddle not only provides a mental exercise but also connects us to a long tradition of wordplay that spans cultures and time, reminding us that the most engaging puzzles often reflect our own experiences and identities.