Questions tagged [story]
A puzzle that is dressed up as a story or a longer description of a situation.
851
questions
10
votes
1answer
192 views
The entrapment of Beastly Gerbil
Part 1: The disappearance of Beastly Gerbil
I've been trapped here for what feels like forever. This is all I've known. Darkness. The occasional flash of light, but then back to darkness, always, ...
3
votes
0answers
343 views
Zed's E-mail: My Good Ol' Uncle Sugar
My friend Gabby and I constantly look out for each other. Just the other day, she received a strange message from what I thought was an uncle of hers. "Problem is," she started with a worried look, "I ...
5
votes
3answers
279 views
The Alchemist goes missing
He hadn't been responding to emails for days. When he was deeply involved in his work, delays were not uncommon, but not this long. Something was clearly amiss. Something had happened to my long time ...
23
votes
2answers
542 views
The disappearance of Beastly Gerbil
Part 2: The entrapment of Beastly Gerbil
This is an unusual call in. As a private detective you have been asked to investigate several odd cases, but this you're still convinced this one is taking ...
4
votes
4answers
572 views
Rapunzel and the Prince
This is a simple mathematical puzzle, which I decided to improve a bit one year after posting. Some of the answers below consider slightly different, but equivalent setting of the problem.
Rapunzel ...
9
votes
1answer
277 views
An awesome but unusual concert
Some times ago, I went to a concert, somewhere south of where I lived.
Security had canines, but those were very unruly and attacked each other.
When setting up my tent, I wanted to use a stone to ...
7
votes
1answer
101 views
A Grid with some Green Cells
So a friend wanted me to try out the reverse-puzzling riddle he created. It consisted of a 4x4 grid with a digit in each cell and a single closed loop drawn along the edges of its cells. Also some of ...
3
votes
0answers
68 views
Zed's Dance: Disarray and Cabaret
All this talk about my friends and I... it's about time I announced myself for a change!
I'm kinda nervous about this because — let's face it — I'm an odd-ball. Take, for example, the ...
15
votes
1answer
772 views
The Old Man and the Police Officer
An old man walks into a Police Station.
He asks for help.
A Police Officer on duty asks a short question. The old man is scared
and starts sweating.
The officer grabs that old man from ...
22
votes
1answer
3k views
Is humanity truly doomed?
The aliens have landed!
You wake up one morning and find yourself in a room with familiar furniture but featureless white walls, strapped firmly to your own bed and hooked up to an array of dials and ...
8
votes
1answer
136 views
Puzzle Hunt 06: Stepping Stones
This is part six in my clichéd treasure island puzzle series, but can be solved on its own. The story carries on from part five.
Based on the information from the notebook, you at least know where ...
6
votes
1answer
581 views
Zed's Note: Famously Infamous
My friend Al and I constantly bicker. One time, he proudly boasted that he can crack any cipher ever written, so I put out a little wager: if I can stump him with any cipher I write, he would have to ...
27
votes
1answer
701 views
Food Fight! (An extended VowelBurger™ puzzle…)
Inspired by Avi's Vowelburger™ Riddle here (and all its many clones!)
The food hall was a mess. A massive fight had broken out among the proprietors of the five burger stands stationed around the ...
8
votes
1answer
683 views
Who attempted to betray the Boston King?
The Castle of Weshire recently declared war on the Castle of Boston. The two armies soon met, the Boston King and Weshire King giving out orders from behind their lines of soldiers, surround by their ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
It's my sister's birthday
I'd ordered her a cake, but when I got to the bakery to pick it up, the cake decorator had transposed the digits of her age.
"She'll thank you for the compliment," I said, "but her age is a prime ...
5
votes
1answer
125 views
Zed's Tech: Something Went Wrong With My Bubblizer!
My friend Della and I constantly try to invent things. We're currently working on a patent for a wondrous machine which we both designed: the magnificent Bubblizer!
What does it do? Well... right now,...
6
votes
3answers
724 views
What is my lover's name?
I have a lover, I love her so
She has a special name as we all do
But I wish, from me to you, not to tell
A secret kept is a secret kept well
But if you truly want to know
I shall soon reveal her ...
9
votes
1answer
156 views
Puzzle Hunt 05: Reading between the lines
This is part five in my clichéd treasure island puzzle series. The story carries on from part four.
With the delicate backdrop of celestial nursery rhymes, you decide to flick through the discovered ...
18
votes
1answer
220 views
The Order's First Member
Due to your reputation, you have been contacted by the organiser of a secret society. Each member of the group is a genius and a master in their field, but their identities and professions are a ...
14
votes
4answers
809 views
Even my father ignored me, Who am I?
I'm the forgotten child.
Once my half brother came into the picture, I was swiftly forgotten by most.
Even my older brother refused to work with me.
We were forced to play together, but he was always ...
5
votes
0answers
110 views
Zed's Order: Breakfast at Elon's
My friend Elon and I constantly irritate each other. He recently built himself a rather respectable restaurant – a sort of bed-&-breakfast, minus the beds. Last week, he asked if I could ...
6
votes
1answer
131 views
Find the location of the royal artifacts
London, 13:20
While media and experts are still baffled on how Inspector Arbor caught Norman Erdmann (can you solve it? See here) Arbor himself has no time to rest.
Police has already questioned ...
10
votes
4answers
924 views
Puzzle Hunt 03: As a bat
This is part three in my clichéd treasure island puzzle series. The story carries directly on from part two. Part one is here. There may be a bit of a gap before part 4 as I'm running out of ideas :)
...
7
votes
1answer
100 views
Such a simple task!
"Gosh-darn-dag-nab-it-to-tarnation!" Jimmy hear's Darlene yell from across the farm. Figuring he'd better go face this head on, he heads towards the barn.
"What the hell happened Jimmy? You were just ...
8
votes
1answer
159 views
4 (or 5?) Brothers
Each brother tells us a bit about themselves. Can you identify their names?
1:
"I'm the oldest of us, at least to you humans. You all say I'm weaker than my brothers, but my domain is infinite - a ...
9
votes
3answers
840 views
Max and Lisa are arguing again
Shortly after this conversation, Max and Lisa had another argument:
Max: Huh? What's going on?
Lisa: You're browsing the web with your smartphone instead of paying attention!
Max: I was sending ...
10
votes
1answer
272 views
Catching the thief before it's too late
London, 17:15.
Inspector Arbor wasn't quite happy with the current situation. Normally, he would have enjoyed this sunny Saturday outside at the Park but now wasn't the time for that.
Valuable ...
7
votes
1answer
598 views
What is the word that both of them are talking about?
Context: Both Max and his friend Lisa have been told a word by their teacher and their conversation goes as follows:
Max: "What was the word that teacher told us again?"
Lisa: "What? Why weren't ...
2
votes
1answer
104 views
A message told thrice
In front of me, there's a shadow of a man; he speaks to me thus;
(1) Despite your most desperate wishes, I am a bet you cannot beat. To be content with me is to know peace of mind. Know this: of ...
11
votes
13answers
14k views
The old man doesn't like seagull meat
An old man and his mute niece always wanted to visit some beautiful tropical island.
"Before my sight leaves me, I want to see how a real palm looks like!", said the old man. He was lying. His sight ...
7
votes
0answers
412 views
Zed's Phone: Failure to Communicate
My friend Beto and I constantly buy things for one another. One day, he gave me a strange-looking phone and said it was my birthday gift (My birthday wouldn't be until 3 more months). He said he ...
3
votes
2answers
148 views
The Mixed-Up Label [duplicate]
Mrs. Hudson had a rather large number of her extended family over for tea, and during this time a particularly mischievous great-nephew took the opportunity to wreak havoc in the kitchen. Seeing that ...
6
votes
1answer
173 views
A tour of my tower
A new riddle - I don't think it should give anyone too much trouble!
Let me show you my building - do you like the lovely green carpet?
All the rooms are connected by these hallways.
...
-3
votes
2answers
176 views
Which direction will Xech be facing? [closed]
Xech is a shiny new robot on it’s first day of work. Xech's job is to move packages and product around a warehouse that is used by Xechry merchants, keep things neat, tidy, and efficient. At 9:00am ...
4
votes
2answers
648 views
Boat children and army crossing the river puzzle
During the war, a small detachment found itself
confronted by a deep and wide river. However, they found a small boat in which
two-children were rowing about. It was a very small boat and can only ...
17
votes
16answers
2k views
Who killed Mr. Green, and Why?
One sun-shining day in London,
Twelve people attended a party.
They didn't know who was coming,
But they hoped the time would be hearty.
Four husbands and wives were attending,
Each one of two boys ...
8
votes
2answers
320 views
The Marching Tune
And a one, and a two, and a three four five six!
Or a one, and a two, and a three four five!
From my home right here,
To the end way down there!
And then I have a choice
Of a one, a two, or a ...
16
votes
1answer
312 views
Missing No. 53 - Act 1: A Musty House
2/10/2020
Agent: Delta Flash
Subject: William Plixer
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Appearance: Crew cut hazelnut hair. Round, blue eyes, snub nose, attached earlobes, and thin lips on ...
7
votes
2answers
431 views
You just realized I am doomed
You just found a game despite the World War III,
which was a game by some computer experts before the war.
There went a six-limbed, not an insect.
I was not blind, I sincerely swear.
I ate ...
15
votes
2answers
461 views
Cloudy with a chance of meatballs
I discovered that I can control the local weather, depending on what color shirt and hat I wear at a given location. My home country of Flanmanistan has hired me to go back and do drought and famine ...
5
votes
1answer
207 views
A Remote Location
Here be a simple problem
For the keen directmate eye
White to move and win
In seven moves, Black shall die
However, I remember now a relative
Long ago did he begin to live
About a two decades or ...
17
votes
2answers
2k views
What was this unstoppable vehicle?
I've made a small edit to this puzzle to try to make it slightly more difficult; see the edit history for the original version.
The other day, I was taking a driving lesson. My instructor was sitting ...
11
votes
1answer
411 views
The Wind Blows as the Wheel Wills
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend.
Legend and names fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again.
In ...
6
votes
4answers
5k views
Revenge [cryptic] rebus puzzles
Enjoyed these did you? Felt they were a bit too easy? The rebuses are feeling bitter about their loss, and they will only concede defeat if you break their puzzle:
Wait a second... they've sent a ...
2
votes
1answer
181 views
Hiker's Cabin Mystery | Pt. XVII
Sorry for the long break everyone! It's been hectic. Here goes XVII:
There is another chamber of the labyrinth which contains yet another inscription on the wall:
Once again, there is a keyboard and ...
7
votes
1answer
214 views
Excited Raichu vs the Dream (Chess Puzzle)
(Source: An actual tournament game I played all the way back in 2016)
I had the weirdest dream last night…
It started out normal enough, which for me, is basically nothing… but then I woke up, ...
32
votes
1answer
2k views
Twelve Labours - Conclusion
This puzzle is the FINAL part of the ‘Twelve Labours’ series, and contains spoilers for previous instalments, which can be found here: Prologue | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | ...
11
votes
0answers
341 views
Recurring Meeting
The computer scientist's assistant is late at work once again, trying to once again decode their bosses directions for the day. Under meetings, the boss has listed only a single meeting:
...
14
votes
3answers
633 views
Twelve Labours - #11 Hesper's Hypermarket
This puzzle is part of the ‘Twelve Labours’ series, but can be solved independently. Previous instalments can be found here: Prologue | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10
His business ...
14
votes
3answers
2k views
Please help me cook :(
I had the worst day today. My car broke down, I was late to work, I forgot my lunch, and to top it all off, my chef is on holidays. Due to being an emotional eater, it is during times like these when ...
