Below are a collection of riddles from various sources. Most of these are puzzles involving looking at familiar objects in unfamiliar ways, although a couple may be considered word puzzles. None of them appear to have identified authors; all are found in numerous places on the internet; many are very old and may be considered attributable to that great author of folk songs and ballads know as "Traditional" or "Anonymous". Solutions are hardlinked to from the word "solution" under each puzzle, so move your mouse over to read, or click on through.
1.
He who makes it does not keep it.
He who takes it does not know it.
He who knows it does not want it.
He who gathers it must destroy it.
What is it?
solution
2.
What is deaf, dumb and blind
And always tells the truth?
solution
3.
What's black when you buy it,
Red when you use it,
And grey when you throw it away.
solution
4.
I know a word of letters three;
Add two, and fewer there will be.
solution
5.
It is said by certain people that some things are improved by death. Tell me what stinks while living but in death smells good?
solution
6.
As I went over London Bridge
I met my sister Jenny;
I broke her neck and drank her blood
And left her standing empty.
solution
7.
If you break me
I do not stop working,
If you touch me
I may be snared,
If you lose me
Nothing will matter.
solution
8.
If a man carried my burden
He would break his back.
I am not rich,
But leave silver in my track.
solution
9.
Each morning I appear
To lie at your feet,
All day I will follow
No matter how fast you run,
Yet I nearly perish
In the midday sun.
solution
10.
I am as cold as death, but ever breathing.
Never thirsty, but ever drinking.
Covered in mail, but never clinking.
What am I?
solution
11.
I am used to bat with, yet I never get a hit.
I am near a ball, yet it is never thrown.
What am I?
solution