Back to 195 Rhyming Riddles With Answers

195 Rhyming Riddles With Answers

195 riddles · answers on the last page · riddleup.com/riddles/rhyming-riddles

  1. Reaching stiffly for the sky, I bare my fingers when its cold. In warmth I wear an emerald glove and in between I dress in gold.
  2. I am the fountain from which no one can drink. For many I am considered a necessary link. Like gold to all I am sought for, but my continued death brings wealth for all to want more.
  3. I am good at concealing what's real and hide what's true. Sometime, I bring out the courage in you! What am I?
  4. They try to beat me, they try in vain. And when I win, I end the pain.
  5. A precious stone, as clear as diamond. Seek it out while the sun's near the horizon. Though you can walk on water with its power, try to keep it, and it'll vanish in an hour.
  6. They made me a mouth, but didn't give me breath. Water gives me life, but the sun brings me death.
  7. It cannot be seen, it cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, Lies behind stars and under hills, and empty holes it fills. Comes first follows after, Ends life kills laughter.
  8. I am the third from a sparkle bright, I thrive throughout the day and night. Deep in the path of a cows white drink. I've had thousands of millions of years to think. But one of my creatures is killing me. And so the question I ask to thee, is who am I?
  9. This mother comes from a family of eight, Supports her children in spite of their weight, Turns around without being called, Has held you since the time you crawled.
  10. I can generate fear and some say I come out of your ears. I am as quiet as a mouse but not welcomed in the house. What am I?
  11. I can be quick and then I'm deadly, I am a rock, shell and bone medley. If I was made into a man, I'd make people dream, I gather in my millions By ocean, sea and stream.
  12. My first, though water, cures no thirst, My next alone has soul, And when he lives upon my first, He then is called my whole.
  13. My first is high, My second damp, My whole a tie, A writer's cramp.
  14. I fly to any foreign parts, assisted by my spreading wings. My body holds an hundred hearts, Nay, I will tell you stranger things when I am not in haste I ride, and then I mend my pace anon. I issue fire from my side. You witty youths, this riddle con.
  15. This thing all things devours, Birds, beasts, trees, and flowers. Gnaws iron bites steel, Grinds hard stones to meal, Slays king, ruins town, And beats high mountain down.
  16. Thirty men and ladies two, gathered for a festive do; Dressed quite formal, black and white; soon movement turned to nasty fight.
  17. Of these things I have two. One for me and one for you. And when you ask about the price, I simply smile and nod twice.
  18. When it shines, its light is hazy. Makes the oceans swell like crazy. It makes moods seem more romantic, But it makes the ladies frantic.
  19. I march before armies, a thousand salute me. My fall can bring victory, but no one would shoot me. The wind is my lover, one-legged am I. Name me and see me at home in the sky. What am I?
  20. A warrior amongst the flowers, he bears a thrusting sword. He uses it whenever he must, to defend his golden hoard. What am I?
  21. It floats over the land, It cuts the tallest mountain, Its voice is like a fountain, Its body like a snake, Will flow into a lake.
  22. Man of old, it is told would search until he tired, not for gold, ne'er be sold, but what sought he was fire. Man today, thou mayst say, has quite another aim, in places deep, he did seek, to find me for his gain!
  23. I am small, but, when entire, of force to set a town on fire; Let but one letter disappear, I then can hold a herd of deer; Take one more off, and then you'll find I once contained all human kind.
  24. My children are near and far. No matter that I know where they are. The gift I give them make their day. But if I were gone they would wander away.
  25. Used to wield power and glory, yet results were rather gorey, When it wrote our human story. In the eyes of wiser men, it is weaker than a pen.
  26. A necessity to some, a treasure to many, I'm best enjoyed among pleasant company. Some like me hot, some like me cold. Some prefer mild, some like me bold. What am I?
  27. I have an eye but cannot see, You'll head inside when you see me.
  28. So beautiful and cold, So young and yet so old, Alive but always dead, Still hungry when has fed, Will die if it is bled, Or you cut off its head.
  29. I have palms but not on hands, I offer foods from distant lands, When at my peak you'll see me smoke, I'm famous for my friendly folk, My flowers grow and yet they lay, There's fire where a man will play. What am I?
  30. They keep secrets locked away. And you pass through them each day. For each one there is a key, They respond to sesame.
  31. It starts at the earth's end and brink, Filled with water you can't drink. Has a color, just like ink, Walk into it and you'll sink.
  32. They belong to me; they belong to you; They can make you feel happy or make you feel blue; They never end until the day you do.
  33. We are little airy creatures, all of different voice and features, one of us in glass is set. One of us you'll find in jet. Another you may see in tin. And the fourth a box within. If the fifth you should pursue, it can never fly from you. What are we?
  34. I have a little sister, they call her Peep, Peep; She wades the waters deep, deep, deep; She climbs the mountains high, high, high; Poor little creature she has but one eye.
  35. An utensil used for bread. Also a paper cutter. Used by a thug to take a life, Or wielded by the tamest wife, When used to spread the butter.
  36. I am killer of trees but people need me. I can be blown away by a breeze and I have been here since ancient Greece. What am I?
  37. A hundred years I once did live, and often wholesome food did give, yet all that time I ne'er did roam, so much as a half a mile from my home, my days were spent devoid of strife, until at last I lost my life. And since my death – I pray give ear, I oft have traveled far and near.
  38. Six legs, two heads, Two hands, one long nose. Yet he uses only four legs Wherever he goes.
  39. Halo of water, tongue of wood. Skin of stone, long I've stood. My fingers short reach to the sky. Inside my heart men live and die.
  40. It holds most knowledge that has ever been said. But is not the brain, is not the head. To feathers and their masters, it's both bane and boon. One empty, and one full.
  41. At the end of my yard there is a vat, four-and-twenty ladies dancing in that; Some in green gowns, and some with blue hat; He is a wise man who can tell me that.
  42. I'm tall in the morning and short in the noon. I disappear at night but I will be back soon.
  43. I lack much reason, but often rhyme, And require logic to pass the time, To get the words to tell your kin, Look for clues that lie within, Though all are different, they act the same, The answer is practically in the name.
  44. My first is second in line; I send shivers up your spine; not quite shining bright I glitter in the light.
  45. Silently I drink and dive in fluids dark as night. I beat the mighty warrior but never in fight. The black blood in my veins your thirst for knowledge slakes. My spittle is more venomous than that of poison snakes.
  46. It was a tradition long ago, When the world was dark and full of woe. When men turned darkness into light, By mixing, melting and decanting in the night, To seek for youth and gold and riches, Just to be burned as witches.
  47. I can fill a room but take up no space. Look out at night, and I am in no place. What am I?
  48. Small, containing light, You'll need it in the dark, It will provide that spark, and shine into the night. Will light up any pyre, 'Cause it can help make a fire.
  49. When liquid splashes me, none seeps through. When I am moved a lot, liquid I spew. When I am hit, color I change. And color, I come in quite a range. What I cover is very complex, And I am very easy to flex.
  50. Every dawn begins with me. At dusk I'll be the first you see, and daybreak couldn't come without. What midday centers all about. Daisies grow from me, I'm told. And when I come, I end all code, but in the sun I won't be found. Yet still, each day I'll be around.
  51. Black within and red without, With four corners round about. What am I?
  52. A most delicious thing. It can be given but cannot be kept. Some awake from it after they've slept. It is the moistest and softest butterfly wing, But when it is the last even it can sting.
  53. I think you live beneath a roof that is upheld by me; I think you seldom walk abroad, but my fair form you see; I close you in on every side, you very dwelling pave, and probably I'll go with you at last into the grave.
  54. I am found by the ocean and offer you a bed. Whether you want me or not, to your house I am led? What am I?
  55. For me, much blood has been shed. I have two faces but only bear one head. What am I?
  56. Upon me you can tread, though softly under cover. And I will take you places, that you have yet to discover. I'm high, and I'm low, though flat in the middle. And though a joy to the children, adults think of me little.
  57. Violet, indigo, blue and green, yellow, orange and red; these are the colors you have seen after the storm has fled. What am I?
  58. My life is often a volume of grief, your help is needed to turn a new leaf. Stiff is my spine and my body is pale. But I'm always ready to tell a tale.
  59. Four wings I have, which swiftly mount on high, on sturdy pinions, yet I never fly; And though my body often moves around, upon the self-same spot I'm always found, and, like a mother, who breaks her infant's bread. I chew for man before he can be fed.
  60. The land was white the seed was black. It'll take a good scholar to riddle me that.
  61. It gives everything and then takes it away, It governs destinies and fates, It changes and it never waits, It rules the cards and dice each day, Is part of any game we play.
  62. Sometimes it glitters, but often not; May be cold, or may be hot! Ever changing though the eye can't measure, concealed within are many treasures. Some find safety beneath its gate, while some may die beneath its weight! Old and broken, it brings forth life.
  63. It's in the church, but not in the steeple; It's in the parson, but not in the people; It's in the oyster, but not in the shell; It's in the clapper, but not in the bell.
  64. Ancient and majestic, great big piles of stones, Used to encase both riches and bones. Seen from certain angles, They look like big triangles.
  65. Hard to catch, easy to hold. Can't be seen, unless it's cold.
  66. Some try to hide, some try to cheat, but time will show, we always will meet. Try as you might, to guess my name, I promise you'll know when you I do claim.
  67. It is by nature, soft as silk; A puffy cloud, white as milk; Snow tops this tropical crop; The dirtiest part of a mop.
  68. My voice is tender, my waist is slender and I'm often invited to play. Yet wherever I go, I must take my bow or else I have nothing to say.
  69. With thieves I consort, With the Vilest, in short, I'm quite at ease in depravity, Yet all divines use me, And savants can't lose me, For I am the century of gravity.
  70. In wealth I abound; in water I stand; As a fencer I'm valued all over the land; At Venice I'm famous; by farmers I'm prized; Respected by law, yet huntsmen despised; Consternation and ruin ensue when I break; And the beasts of the forest advantage won't take.
  71. Plow and hoe, reap and sow, What soon does every farmer grow?
  72. Though I do not speak, I oft impart The secret wishes of the heart; I may deceive, may make amends, May create foes, and yet make friends. The harshest anger I can disarm, Such is the power of my charm.
  73. Written on with words of white, Has the color of the night, Is the teacher's best delight, And a student's daily fright.
  74. In marble halls as white as milk, lined with a skin as soft as silk. Within a fountain crystal-clear. A golden apple doth appear. No doors there are to this stronghold, yet thieves break in and steal the gold.
  75. I'm a slippery fish in a cloudy sea; Neither hook nor spear will capture me; With your hand you must hunt down this fish, to see that it ends up in the dish.
  76. A useful thing, hard, firm, and white, outside in shaggy robe bedight; Hallowed within right cleverly, it goes to work both white and dry. When after labor it comes back, you'll find it moist and very black; for service it is ready ever, and fails the hand that guides it never.
  77. Take me for a spin and I'll make you cool, but use me when it's cool and you're a fool. What am I?
  78. It is a symphony of noise, It can produce both grief and joys, It is inspiring and grand, Made by a person or a band.
  79. A single syllable do I claim, black was my most famous name; Fetal to mortals here below, thousands have I slain in a single blow.
  80. My love, when I gaze on thy beautiful face. Careering along, yet always in place, the thought has often come into my mind. If I ever shall see thy glorious behind.
  81. Given them to the girls whenever, And they'll be best friends forever. Shiny, pretty stones, Bought with massive loans.
  82. It can be in a hat, Or out of the bag. If you see it you'll be smitten, 'Cause it's fluffy like a mitten. What is it?
  83. A book once owned by the wealthy, now rare to find. Never for sale and often left behind. What am I?
  84. It keeps something that cannot be kept, And wakes you when you've slept. It may go slow or stop at times, But even then it chimes.
  85. It holds no blessings in disguise. Its rhymes are aimed at your demise, it's cast only to ruin, Whatever you are doin'.
  86. A dragon's tooth in a mortal's hand, I kill, I maim, I divide the land.
  87. Though my beauty is becoming I can hurt you just the same; I come in many colors; I am what I am by any other name.
  88. What points the way without a hand. It floats on water but exists on land?
  89. They took me from my mother's side where I was bravely bred and when to age I did become they did cut off my head. They gave to me some diet drink that often made me mad but it made peace between two kings and made two lovers glad.
  90. I'm sometimes white and always wrong. I can break a heart and hurt the strong. I can build love or tear it down. I can make a smile or bring a frown.
  91. In we go, out we go. All around and in a row. Always, always steady flow. When we'll stop, you'll never known. In we go, out we go.
  92. I give people a huge fright, but at the end I'm sweet. I normally celebrate at night, when there's less heat. What am I?
  93. An outcome already written, Fight it and you'll be smitten. By it you may be blessed, Or put up to the test, And take you places you'd have never guessed.
  94. Double my number, I'm less than a score. Half of my number is less than four. Add one to my double when bakers are near. Days of the week are still greater, I fear.
  95. Snake coiled round and round. Snake deep below the ground. Snake that's never had a head. Snake that binds but not with dread.
  96. It is in every mountain, it's not in any hill, it's not in all the world, and yet it's in the mill.
  97. His is no small athletic feat, Has to stay nimble on his feet, To fight and his opponents beat, And taste sweet victory, not grim defeat.
  98. A metal neither black nor red, as heavy as man's golden greed. What you do to stay ahead, with friend or foe or arrow and steed.
  99. I view the world in little space, Am always changing place; No food I eat, but, by my power, Procure what millions do devour.
  100. Only one color, but not one size. Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies. Present in sun, but not in rain. Doing no harm, and feeling no pain.
  101. You deal with them and they deal chance, They show you your future at a glance. You play them and they play you back, And win or lose, They go back in their pack.
  102. My uses are changing, but I still remain the same. My interior is quiet, and stories are my game. What am I?
  103. Sometimes dark and sometimes bright, I make my way among twinkling lights. Seas and oceans obey my call, yet mountains I cannot move at all. My face is marred and gray, but I'm majestic anyway. What am I?
  104. Shared between two; Most often to woo; Sometimes hot and sometimes cold; The beginning of us all, young and old.
  105. My tines be long, my tines be short. My tines end ere, my first report. What am I?
  106. It is a part of us, and then replaced. It escapes our bodies, to a better place. The world becomes its sizeable home. Its passions unrestrained, the planet it roams.
  107. A wonderful elixir, It is your fluid fixer. Gulp it down and turn like a concrete mixer. Dark as night and sweet as sin, It's like liquid heroin.
  108. You seek it out, when your hunger is ripe. It sits on four legs, and smokes a pipe. What is it?
  109. Though blind as well, can lead the blind well.
  110. I don't think or eat or slumber. Or move around or fear thunder. Just like you I look the same but I can't harm you or be your bane.
  111. I can invent dreams or open the skies. It's easy to use me, just close your eyes. What am I?
  112. I can bring back the dead and a tear to your eye. A stir of emotions will follow close by. What am I?
  113. Although a human shape I wear, Mother I never had; And though no sense nor life I share, in finest silks I'm clad. By every miss I'm valued much, beloved and highly prized; still my cruel fate is such by boys I am often despised.
  114. Brown I am and much admired; many horses have I tried; tire a horse and worry a man; tell me this riddle if you can.
  115. Some live in me, some live on. And some shave me to stride upon. I rarely leave my native land. Until my death I always stand. High and low I may be found. Both above and below ground.
  116. Small was my stature, but my success was great. Until I entered Belgium to be handed my fate. Who am I?
  117. A mysterious, fantastic creature, It has one defining feature, And for humans at their worst, In their eyes it's just a horse.
  118. I am long and thin and make things right. I will repair your mistake but watch my bite. What am I?
  119. A third from the sun, and not much else since the world's begun. Some may weigh a metric ton. Is a synonym for fun. Made a zeppelin take flight. A big thing at Isle of Wight.
  120. My mother is water and my brother the sky. I am grey when wet but white when dry. What am I?
  121. My first is in some but not in all. My second is into but not in tall. My third in little but no in big. My fourth in port but not in pig. My whole is made in nature's way. For clothing, rugs used every day.
  122. Without me where would you be? I am not your eyes, but I help you see. What am I?
  123. Crooked as a rainbow, and slick as a plate, Ten thousand horses can't pull it straight.
  124. As I was going through a field of wheat, I found something good to eat; It wasn't fish or flesh or bone; I kept it till it ran alone.
  125. Found in pizza but also the sky. You'll know I'm around when I'm close by. What am I?
  126. A most complex construction, Of creation and destruction, Of good and evil deeds, Of noblest thought and basest needs, A species in the lead, Immortal 'til we bleed.
  127. I live next to beauty trying to catch your eye. Grab me without looking, and you're surely to cry. What am I?
  128. Before I grow I'm small. When I'm old I grow tall. When I die I give a mighty fall. What am I?
  129. My first is in spell, but not book. My second is in fright and also shook. My third is in cauldron, but never in pot. My fourth is in net and also in knot. My fifth is in bat, but never in vampire. My sixth is in coal, but not found in fire. My seventh is in moon, but not in night.
  130. You roll it or you buy it, People say you shouldn't try it, Because you may get a stroke, From inhaling all that smoke.
  131. It flows out of the soil, It burns you if it boils, And holds us in its coils, More valuable than gold, As black as it is old.
  132. Soldiers line up spaced with pride. Two long rows lined side by side. One sole unit can decide, if the rows will unite or divide.
  133. I make you weak at the worst of all times. I keep you safe, I keep you fine. I make your hands sweat. And your heart grow cold. I visit the weak, but seldom the bold.
  134. My tail is long, my coat is brown, I like the country, I like the town. I can live in a house or live in a shed, And I come out to play when you are in bed.
  135. Tucked out of sight. I sing best at night. No instrument around, but you'll find me on the ground. What am I?
  136. I grow from darkness but shine with a pale light. Very round I am, and always a lady's delight. What am I?
  137. Never resting, never still. Moving silently from hill to hill. It does not walk, run or trot. All is cool where it is not.
  138. People are hired to get rid of me. I'm often hiding under your bed. In time I'll always return you see. Bite me and you're surely dead. What am I?
  139. With sharp edged wit and pointed poise. It can settle disputes without making a noise.
  140. In the evening I'm long, in the morning I'm small; When seen in a ballroom, I'm nothing at all.
  141. A flash of light on a grey day. If you're made of metal, you best stay away. What am I?
  142. Two legs I've got, Which never walk on ground; But when I go or run, One leg turns round.
  143. Barren location, infertile and dry; my name means "to leave", it's not hard to see why.
  144. My back and belly is wood, and my ribs is lined with leather. I've a hole in my nose and one in my breast, And I'm mostly used in cold weather.
  145. A house where you are brought, If they find you or get caught. If you cross the government, This is where you will be sent.
  146. I scribble forms of the finest letter, And repel elements of the harshest weather. I am an arrow-aimer and a dust-breaker.
  147. I always run but never walk, I sometimes sing but cannot talk, No head on which a hat to place, You always look me in the face.
  148. A mile from end to end, yet as close to as a friend. A precious commodity, freely given. Seen on the dead and on the living. Found on the rich, poor, short and tall, but shared among children most of all.
  149. I have many feathers to help me fly. I have a body and head, but I'm not alive. It is your strength that determines how far I go. You can hold me in your hand, but I'm never thrown. What am I?
  150. I end and begin the day, Without me, you'll pay. With the aid of sheep, All my benefits you shall reap. If I make you miss class, You shall not pass! What am I?
  151. Three little letters, a paradox to some. The worse that it is, the better it becomes.
  152. Not a burden for its weight and daily carried out, He who takes it wishes it had never come about.
  153. I am everywhere. Nothing can compare. Run and hide and I will still be there Because everything is mine to share. No need to seek me out, Though, you may just run out. What am I?
  154. My coat keeps me safe From damage that's near. I cause you happiness, sadness, Anticipation and fear. On the outside, I am put under judgment of price. But my insides have far more value That not even MONEY can suffice.
  155. My first is in wield, sever bones and marrow. My second is in blade, forged in cold steel. My third is in arbalest, and also in arrows. My fourth is in power, plunged through a shield. My fifth is in honor, and also in vows My last will put an end to it all.
  156. Tool of thief, toy of queen. Always used to be unseen. Sign of joy, sign of sorrow. Giving all likeness borrowed.
  157. More precious than gold, but cannot be bought, Can never be sold, only earned if it's sought, If it is broken it can still be mended, At birth it can't start nor by death is it ended.
  158. We are emeralds and diamonds, Lost by the moon; Found by the sun, And picked up soon.
  159. Shifting, Shifting, Drifting deep. Below me great and mighty cities sleep. Swirling, Scurlling, All around. I'm only where no water will be found.
  160. With my pair I should be, But I am usually alone you see, For a monster always eats me. Do you know what I must be?
  161. Armless, legless, I crawl around when I'm young. Then the time of changing sleep will come. I will awake like a newborn, flying beast, 'till then on the remains of the dead I feast.
  162. Early ages the iron boot tread, With Europe at her command. Through time power slipped and fled, 'til the creation of new holy land. Who am I?
  163. I am a tale in children's minds. I keep their secrets and share them inside. I blur their thoughts into fantasies kept Like a canvas of art or a submarine depth. Though an illusion, it occurs every night; I give them a fantasy, I give them a fright. Nor good or bad, but always nigh' It's interesting to tell. What am I?
  164. Made of ten but two we make, When assembled others quake, Five apart and we are weak, Five together havoc wreak. What are we?
  165. Above all things have I been placed Thus have I, a man disgraced. I describe sunlight or lock But after all, I'm just a rock.
  166. A serpent swam in a silver urn, A golden bird did in its mouth abide, The serpent drank the water, this in turn, Killed the serpent. Then the gold bird died.
  167. When set loose, I fly away, Never so cursed, as when I go astray
  168. At the sound of me, men may dream Or stamp their feet At the sound of me, women may laugh Or sometimes weep.
  169. It's in your hand though you cannot feel it. Only you and time can reveal it.
  170. I go around in circles, But always straight ahead Never complain, No matter where I am led.
  171. Faster than a twitch! Fly with me to the Pitch! With a seeker, a keeper, Or a chaser, a beater, Wizard or witch; I play a mean game of Quidditch. What am I?
  172. I'm not man's best friend, I'm their enemy, I can mark your end, yet you do not see me, I am very small, but very tough, If you have me, then you have it rough.
  173. Within, I clean all that is bad and is old. I make juice that's the color of gold. Should I die, a filter machine would you need assembled to replace me and beans I resemble.
  174. My sides are firmly laced about, Yet nothing is within; You'll think my head is strange indeed, Being nothing else but skin.
  175. A natural state, I'm sought by all. Go with me and you shall fall. You do me when you spend, and you use me when you eat to no end. What am I?
  176. What has roots that nobody sees, Is taller than trees, Up, up it goes, Yet it never grows?
  177. If your life is cut short, I am not the one to blame. You signed up, and your death was not my aim. Enter our doors; there is so much to see, We just happen to hold the key, To adventure abound And fun to be found Step in our door And see what is in store. What am I?
  178. My step is slow, the snow's my breath I give the ground, a grinding death My marching makes an end of me Slain by sun or drowned in sea.
  179. Black we are and much admired, Men seek us if they are tired, We tire the horse, comfort man, Guess this riddle if you can.
  180. I'm a bearer of darkness. I'm feared and often hated. I'm a symbol of the unwanted, An omen that leaves you jaded. Some people can predict my coming, But then you'll forever see Things lurking around corners... Are you sure that it was me?
  181. I am a strange creature, Hovering in the air, Moving from here to there, with a brilliant flare. Some say I sing, but others say I have no voice. So I just hum - as a matter of choice. What am I?
  182. I'm not the sort that's eaten, I'm not the sort you bake, Don't put me in an oven; I don't taste that great, But when applied correctly, around me you will find, Problems are so simple when my digits come to mind.
  183. Lovely and round, I shine with pale light, Grown in the darkness, a lady's delight.
  184. Large as a mountain, small as a pea, Endlessly swimming in a waterless sea.
  185. A leathery snake, With a stinging bite, I'll stay coiled up, Unless I must fight.
  186. Useful tool for who in darkness dwell. Within you, corrupting like a deadly spell.
  187. Deep, deep, do they go. Spreading out as they go. Never needing any air. They are sometimes as fine as hair.
  188. A three-letter word I'm sure you know, I can be on a boat or a sleigh in the snow, I'm pals with the rain and honor a king, But my favorite use is attached to a string. What am I?
  189. Screaming, soaring seeking sky. Flowers of fire flying high, Eastern art from ancient time, Name me now and solve this rhyme.
  190. There's no reason to fear If you see me lurking here Even though I shouldn't exist But few might have missed That I'm not at all real Because nothing can conceal The fact that I'm something That's not at all living What am I?
  191. I saw a man in white, he looked quite a sight. He was not old, but he stood in the cold. And when he felt the sun, he started to run. Who could he be? Please answer me.
  192. I cannot be other than what I am, Until the man who made me dies, Power and glory will fall to me finally, Only when he last closes his eyes.
  193. I bubble and laugh And spit water in your face. I am no lady, And I don't wear lace.
  194. Never ahead, ever behind, yet flying swiftly past; For a child I last forever, for adults I'm gone too fast.
  195. I have joy in bringing two together, but darning my existence! My life hangs by a thread, filled with ups, downs and resistance!

Answers

  1. A treeA tree's bare branches ("fingers") show in winter's cold, it's covered in green leaves ("emerald glove") through summer, and it turns golden in the fall in between.
  2. OilOil gushes like a fountain but isn't drinkable, is a vital economic "link" fueling industry, is highly sought after like gold, and its ongoing depletion ("death") only drives up demand and profit.
  3. MakeupMakeup can cover blemishes and hide someone's natural appearance, but it can also boost confidence, giving the wearer courage to feel and look their best.
  4. DeathPeople fight against death, but it's a battle no one ultimately wins, and for the terminally ill or suffering, death's arrival can mean an end to their pain.
  5. IceIce sparkles like a clear gem, forms best in cold conditions like sunrise or sunset, is solid enough to walk on across water, but melts away quickly once you try to hold onto it.
  6. A snowmanA snowman is built with a mouth (often coal or stones) but doesn't breathe, is formed from packed snow (frozen water), and inevitably melts away once the sun warms it.
  7. DarknessDarkness is undetectable by any of the senses, exists beyond starlight and beneath the ground, fills empty spaces, precedes and follows every moment of light, and can figuratively "end life" and snuff out joy.
  8. EarthEarth is the third planet from the sun ("sparkle bright"), sits within the Milky Way galaxy ("a cow's white drink"), has existed for billions of years, and is now being harmed by humanity, one of its own creatures.
  9. EarthEarth is one of eight planets in our solar "family," supports every living thing on it despite their weight, rotates on its own without prompting, and its gravity has held you since before you could even crawl.
  10. SmokeSmoke can trigger fear (a house fire), the saying "smoke coming out of your ears" describes anger, it drifts silently, and no one wants smoke filling their house.
  11. SandSand can shift quickly and even be deadly as "quicksand," it's made of ground-up rock, shell, and bone fragments, forms the Sandman of dreams when personified, and collects by the billions of grains along oceans, seas, and streams.
  12. A seamanThe charade combines "sea" (salt water that can't quench thirst) with "man" (a being with a soul), and a man who lives and works upon the sea is called a seaman.
  13. A hyphenThis charade splits "hyphen" into "hy" (sounding like "high") and "phen" (sounding like "fen," a damp marsh) -- and a hyphen joins words together like a tie, often causing writers grammatical headaches.
  14. A shipThis old riddle describes a sailing ship: its sails are "wings," its crew are the "hundred hearts" aboard, it can anchor and "ride" at rest before resuming its pace, and its cannons "issue fire" from its sides.
  15. TimeThis classic riddle describes time, which wears away everything -- living things, iron, steel, stone, kings, and mountains -- given enough of it.
  16. ChessA chess set has 32 pieces total, including two queens ("ladies"), all dressed in formal black-and-white, and the friendly-looking setup quickly turns into a strategic battle.
  17. SharingThe riddle personifies the idea of sharing, giving one of a pair to someone else, and notes that sharing has no price, only a warm smile in return; this poem's imagery is a fairly abstract match for its stated answer.
  18. The moonMoonlight is hazy, the moon's gravity causes ocean tides ("makes oceans swell"), and moonlit nights are classically associated with romance -- and, in old folklore, with women's monthly cycles ("frantic").
  19. A flagA flag leads troops into battle and is saluted by soldiers, lowering it can symbolize surrender or victory, it flutters for the wind, stands on a single pole ("one-legged"), and belongs flying high in the sky.
  20. A beeA bee flits among flowers armed with a stinger ("sword") it uses in defense, protecting the honey ("golden hoard") stored in its hive.
  21. A riverA river winds through the landscape, carves canyons through even the tallest mountains over time, rushes and gurgles like a fountain, snakes across the land, and empties into a lake or sea.
  22. OilAncient man searched for a way to make fire, while modern man drills deep underground in search of oil for profit -- both driven by the same resourceful pursuit across different ages.
  23. A sparkThis letter riddle removes one letter at a time: "spark" (can ignite a fire) becomes "park" (can hold a herd of deer), and drops another letter to become "ark" (Noah's Ark, said to hold all humankind).
  24. The sunThe sun "knows" the position of every planet in its solar family through gravity, gifts them light and warmth, and without its pull, the planets would drift off into space instead of orbiting.
  25. A swordSwords were once used to seize power through bloodshed and shaped history, yet the saying "the pen is mightier than the sword" holds that words ultimately have more lasting influence.
  26. CoffeeCoffee is essential to many people's mornings, enjoyed socially, and can be served hot or iced, in mild or bold roasts to suit any taste.
  27. A stormA storm (especially a hurricane) has a calm center called an "eye," and when one is approaching, people head indoors for safety.
  28. A vampireA vampire is described as an ageless, cold "undead" being that's perpetually hungry no matter how much it feeds, and can be destroyed by losing its blood or being beheaded.
  29. HawaiiHawaii is dotted with palm trees, imports goods from distant lands, features an active smoking volcano, and is known worldwide for its friendly 'aloha' culture and beaches ('fire' referring to lava).
  30. DoorsDoors keep rooms and their contents private, are passed through constantly, are opened with keys, and the phrase "open sesame" from Ali Baba's tale famously commanded a door to unlock.
  31. The seaThe riddle describes the sea: it seems to begin at the horizon ("earth's end"), its saltwater can't be drunk, it's often dark like ink, and you'll sink if you walk into it.
  32. ThoughtsEveryone has their own private thoughts, which can swing between joy and sadness, and they keep running through your mind for as long as you're alive.
  33. The vowelsThis classic riddle points to the five vowels: A in glAss, E in jEt, I in tIn, O in bOx, and U -- which can never fly from "yoU" since it's part of the very word "you."
  34. A starThis classic nursery riddle describes a star: it seems to "wade" reflected deep in water and "climb" high over mountain peaks, and its single point of twinkling light is its one "eye."
  35. A knifeA knife slices bread, cuts paper, can be a weapon in the wrong hands, and is just as often a harmless kitchen tool for spreading butter.
  36. PaperPaper is made from trees, is light enough to blow away in the wind, and paper-like writing materials date back to ancient civilizations.
  37. A treeA tree can live for a century without ever moving from where it's rooted, providing shade and fruit through its life, but after being cut down and made into lumber -- a ship's timbers, say -- it can travel the world.
  38. A horsemanCombine a horse (four legs, one head, one nose) with its rider (two legs, one head, two hands) and you get a horseman with six legs and two heads total -- though only the horse's four legs actually touch the ground.
  39. A castleA castle is ringed by a water-filled moat ("halo of water"), has a wooden drawbridge ("tongue"), stone walls ("skin"), short towers reaching skyward, and inside, generations of people have lived and died.
  40. PaperPaper has recorded most of humanity's knowledge without being a brain itself, and to a writer with a quill ("feathers"), a blank sheet is a daunting "bane" while a filled one is a satisfying "boon."
  41. FlaxThe source's answer key lists 'fax' here, but this classic old English riddle (ladies dancing in a vat, green gowns, blue hats) is traditionally solved as 'cabbages' growing in a garden - an apparent mismatch in the original worksheet, preserved here as instructed.
  42. A shadowA shadow stretches long at sunrise, shrinks short around noon when the sun is overhead, and vanishes after dark -- only to return again the next day.
  43. A riddleA riddle doesn't always make logical sense but often rhymes, needs logical clue-hunting to solve, and this description is itself a riddle -- self-referential right down to "the answer is in the name."
  44. IceIce sends a chill up your spine on contact and glints and glitters rather than truly shining -- the "second in line" clue is a looser fit, though it hints at ice's letter I standing near the front of the alphabet.
  45. A penA pen "drinks" dark ink silently, and though it never physically fights, "the pen is mightier than the sword," outlasting warriors -- its ink quenches thirst for knowledge, and its words can be sharper and more damaging than any venom.
  46. AlchemyAlchemists of old mixed, melted, and distilled substances in secret, chasing the mythical elixir of youth and the power to turn base metal into gold -- practices that sometimes got practitioners condemned as witches.
  47. LightLight can fill an entire room without physically taking up any volume, and once night falls and the source is gone, it's simply nowhere to be found.
  48. A lighterA lighter is small, throws off a spark and flame to see by in the dark, and can be used to ignite anything from a candle to a bonfire pyre.
  49. SkinSkin is waterproof against splashes yet sweats liquid when you're active, bruises and changes color when struck, comes in a wide range of tones, covers the body's complex systems, and stretches easily.
  50. The letter DThe letter D begins 'dawn,' 'dusk,' and 'daybreak,' sits at the center of 'midday,' starts 'daisies,' ends 'code,' and is missing entirely from 'sun' - yet found in 'day' itself.
  51. A chimneyA chimney is blackened with soot on the inside, often built from red brick on the outside, and typically has a square, four-cornered shape.
  52. A kissA kiss can be given but never kept for yourself, can wake someone (as in fairy tales) from sleep, and while usually soft and sweet, a final one - the 'kiss of death' or goodbye - can sting.
  53. WoodWood forms the beams that hold up a roof, the floors you walk on, the walls that enclose a room, and traditionally the coffin a person is buried in.
  54. SandSand covers ocean beaches and provides a place to lie down and relax, and no matter how careful you are, it inevitably tags along home in your shoes, clothes, and bags.
  55. A coinA coin has two sides -- heads and tails -- yet only one is called "heads," and throughout history people have fought and died over money.
  56. StairsStairs (often carpeted, "under cover") lead you up and down between floors you haven't yet reached, with a flat landing partway, and kids love bounding up and down them far more than adults do.
  57. A rainbowA rainbow displays all seven colors of the spectrum and typically appears in the sky right after a rain storm passes.
  58. A bookA book can be filled with sad ('grief') stories across many volumes, has pages ('leaves') a reader turns, a rigid spine, and pale paper, and it's always ready to be read.
  59. A windmillA windmill's four sails ("wings") spin high in the air without ever leaving the spot it's built on, and it grinds grain into flour -- "chewing" the food -- before people can bake it into bread.
  60. A bookThis old riddle describes writing: the white page is the 'land' and the black ink letters are the 'seed' planted upon it, something a scholar must 'riddle out' by reading.
  61. ChanceChance can hand you good fortune only to snatch it back, shifts unpredictably, and is the invisible force ruling every roll of the dice, deal of cards, and outcome in a game.
  62. A rockRock formations can glisten with minerals or sit dull, feel cold or (as lava) scorching hot, hide gems and treasures inside, offer shelter in caves, prove deadly in a landslide, and break down over time into soil that supports new life.
  63. The letter RThe letter R hides inside 'church,' 'parson,' 'oyster,' and 'clapper,' but is missing from their paired words 'steeple,' 'people,' 'shell,' and 'bell.'
  64. PyramidsEgyptian pyramids are massive stone structures built to entomb pharaohs along with their treasures, and viewed from the side they form a clear triangular silhouette.
  65. BreathYou can't physically catch your breath in your hands, but you 'hold your breath' easily, and it becomes visible as vapor only in cold weather.
  66. DeathNo one can outrun or outwit death forever -- eventually everyone meets it, and there's no mistaking the moment when it finally comes for you.
  67. CottonCotton fibers are soft and silky, grow in fluffy white puffs on the plant, and are used both in mop heads (traditionally cotton strands) and in the fabric of countless everyday textiles.
  68. A violinA violin has a soft tone and a slim, curved waist, and it can only produce sound when its bow is drawn across the strings.
  69. The letter VThe letter V is tucked inside every key word here - thie-V-es, V-ilest, di-V-ines, sa-V-ants, and gra-V-ity - the hidden-letter trick behind this riddle.
  70. A bankThis riddle plays on multiple meanings of "bank": a financial bank (wealth), a riverbank (stands in water, valued by farmers for irrigation and fencing land), the famous canal banks of Venice, and the collapse of a riverbank causing floods, which even wild animals avoid crossing during a break.
  71. WearyThis riddle is a play on words -- after endlessly plowing, hoeing, reaping, and sowing, every farmer inevitably grows "weary" from the constant labor.
  72. A smileA smile is silent but speaks volumes, can be genuine or fake, wins friends or provokes suspicion, and often has the power to melt away even the harshest anger.
  73. A blackboardA blackboard is dark like night with lessons chalked on it in white, beloved by teachers for instruction but dreaded by students called up to solve a problem on it.
  74. An eggThis famous Tolkien riddle describes an egg: its white shell ("marble halls"), the soft inner membrane ("skin like silk"), the clear egg white ("fountain"), and the golden yolk -- which has no door, yet can be "stolen" by cracking it open.
  75. SoapA wet bar of soap slips around in cloudy, sudsy bathwater like a fish, and the only way to catch it is by hand, eventually setting it back in its dish.
  76. A quill penThis old riddle describes a quill pen: a hard white feather shaft in its "shaggy robe" of down, hollowed out and cut to a nib, dipped white and dry into the inkwell, and returning from writing ("labor") stained black with ink.
  77. A fanSwitching on a fan cools you off in the heat, but running it when it's already cold out is pointless -- and "spin" is a pun on the fan's spinning blades.
  78. MusicMusic can be an organized blend of sounds that stirs both sorrow and happiness, ranging from grand orchestral works to a single performer's tune.
  79. The plague"Plague" is one syllable, its most infamous outbreak was known as the "Black" Death, and it proved fatal to mortals, wiping out thousands in devastating waves.
  80. The moonThis classic riddle describes the moon: it appears to travel across the sky yet is always "in place" orbiting Earth, and because the same side always faces us, we can never see its far side ("behind").
  81. DiamondsDiamonds are famously "a girl's best friend," and their sparkling beauty comes at a steep price, often financed with a hefty loan.
  82. A catThis plays on the idioms "cat in the hat" and "letting the cat out of the bag," while describing a real fluffy cat soft enough to compare to a mitten.
  83. A phonebookPrinted phonebooks were once a household staple even among the wealthy, but they're now obsolete -- rarely found, never sold, and usually just abandoned on a doorstep.
  84. A clockA clock tracks time even though time itself can never truly be "kept," it wakes sleepers with an alarm, and even a clock running slow or stopped can still chime the hour.
  85. A curseA curse is spoken (often in rhyme, like an incantation) with the sole purpose of bringing misfortune and ruin, never hidden good luck.
  86. A swordA sword's blade is sharp and fang-like as a dragon's tooth, and in human hands it has historically killed, maimed, and carved up territory in conquest.
  87. A roseA rose is beautiful but its thorns can prick you, it blooms in many colors, and the riddle nods to Shakespeare's famous line that a rose "by any other name would smell as sweet."
  88. A compassA magnetic compass needle points north without any hand to guide it, and while a compass is used on land, its floating needle design works because it can also float on water.
  89. A quillThis riddle describes a goose feather taken from its mother goose, plucked and trimmed ("head cut off") into a quill, then dipped in ink ("diet drink") to write peace treaties and love letters.
  90. A lieA "white lie" is still a lie at its core, and lies -- whether cruel or well-intentioned -- can devastate relationships or, in rare cases, be told to protect someone's feelings.
  91. TidesTides flow in and out along the shoreline in a steady, predictable rhythm, governed by the moon, and they never stop cycling in and out.
  92. HalloweenHalloween is full of scary costumes and frights, but ends with sweet treats collected from trick-or-treating, celebrated after dark on a cool autumn night.
  93. DestinyDestiny is often described as already written, resisting it only leads to trouble, and it can lead you to blessings, trials, or places you never imagined -- whether you fight it or not.
  94. SixSix doubled is 12 (less than a score of 20), half of six is 3 (less than 4), doubling and adding one gives 13 (a baker's dozen), and six is still fewer than the seven days of the week.
  95. A ropeA coiled rope looks like a snake, is used to bind things down or below ground, but of course has no head and poses no real threat.
  96. The letter MThe letter M appears in "mountain" and "mill" but not in "hill" or "world" -- a classic hidden-letter riddle.
  97. A boxerA boxer must be quick on his feet and physically fit to outmaneuver and defeat opponents in the ring, chasing the sweetness of victory over the sting of defeat.
  98. LeadLead the metal is dull gray and heavy like greed itself, while 'to lead' also means staying out in front - whether guiding friend, foe, arrow, or steed - a double meaning this riddle plays on.
  99. The sunThe sun appears as a small disc in the sky and seems to move across it daily, and though it eats nothing itself, its energy grows the food that feeds millions.
  100. A shadowA shadow is always black but changes size, stays attached to your feet yet can stretch and "fly" across the ground, and only appears in sunlight, vanishing on a rainy, overcast day.
  101. CardsPlaying cards are dealt out in games of chance, tarot-style cards can claim to foretell your future, and whether you win or lose a hand, the cards are always gathered back into the deck.
  102. A libraryA library has evolved over time -- from books to digital media -- but it's still a quiet place devoted to housing and sharing stories.
  103. The moonThe moon shifts between dark new phases and bright full ones, governs the ocean tides, yet has no pull on mountains, its scarred gray face still lending it a majestic presence in the night sky.
  104. A kissA kiss is exchanged between two people, often as part of romance, can feel passionate ("hot") or gentle ("cold"), and a first kiss often marks the start of a relationship.
  105. LightningLightning's branching "tines" (forks) come in varying lengths, and because light travels faster than sound, the flash always ends before its thunderclap ("report") is heard.
  106. WaterWater makes up much of the human body and is constantly replenished as it leaves us through sweat and breath, rejoining the planet's much larger water cycle -- rivers, oceans, and rain -- where it roams freely.
  107. CoffeeCoffee is dark, often sweetened, gives an energizing jolt, and is famously described as an addictive "fixer" that keeps people going.
  108. A stoveYou head to the stove when you're hungry to cook, and an old wood or coal stove rests on four legs with a chimney pipe venting smoke like it's puffing away.
  109. A caneA cane itself has no sight, yet a blind person's white cane is exactly what helps guide them safely as they navigate the world.
  110. A dollA doll resembles a person but does none of the things living people do -- no thinking, eating, sleeping, or moving -- and being lifeless, it poses no threat at all.
  111. ImaginationClosing your eyes lets your imagination take over, conjuring dreams and letting you picture entire worlds -- including the open sky -- without ever leaving your seat.
  112. MemoriesMemories let you relive moments with people who have passed away, and revisiting them -- happy or sad -- often stirs up powerful emotion and tears.
  113. A dollA doll has a human shape but no mother, mind, or life; girls ("misses") cherish and dress it in fine clothes, while boys traditionally tend to look down on playing with one.
  114. A saddleA brown leather saddle is fitted and "tried" on many horses, and its weight tires the horse while a poor fit worries the rider trying to solve the problem.
  115. A treeA tree houses animals inside its hollows and on its branches, is felled and planed into wooden walkways to "stride upon," stays rooted in one place its whole life, and grows both above ground and underground as roots.
  116. NapoleonNapoleon Bonaparte was famously short in stature and hugely successful as a conqueror, until his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium sealed his fate.
  117. A unicornA unicorn is a magical creature defined by its single horn, but to a cynic or unbeliever, it's dismissed as nothing more than an ordinary horse.
  118. A needleA sewing needle is thin and long, mends torn fabric ("makes things right"), but its sharp point can prick your finger if you're not careful.
  119. RockThis riddle layers wordplay: "rock" the mineral has existed since Earth (third from the sun) began and can weigh tons, while "rock" the music genre is slang for fun, launched acts like Led Zeppelin, and headlines the famous Isle of Wight Festival.
  120. A cloudA cloud forms from evaporated water (its "mother") and floats in the sky (its "brother"), appearing dark grey when heavy with rain and bright white when fluffy and dry.
  121. SilkThe first three letters spell S-I-L from 'some,' 'into,' and 'little,' matching silk, the natural fiber woven into clothing and rugs daily; the final clue pairing 'port' and 'pig' is a weaker fit for the letter it should supply, an apparent slip in the original wordplay.
  122. LightLight isn't your eyes, but without it your eyes have nothing to see by -- it's the essential ingredient that makes vision possible at all.
  123. A riverA river winds in curves like a rainbow and has a smooth, slick surface, and no amount of pulling force can straighten its natural course.
  124. An eggThis classic riddle describes finding an egg, which is neither fish, meat, nor bone -- and after being kept warm, it hatched into a chick that could run off on its own.
  125. A circleA pizza is shaped like a circle, and the riddle's last line plays on the phrase "close by" sounding like "around" — a pun on the shape circling back on itself.
  126. HumansHumans are capable of both great creativity and great destruction, noble ideals and base instincts, and stand as the dominant species -- feeling invincible until mortality catches up.
  127. A thornA thorn grows right alongside a beautiful flower like a rose, and if you reach for the bloom without care, you'll grab the thorn instead and get a painful prick.
  128. A treeA tree starts as a tiny seedling, grows tall over decades, and when it finally dies or is felled, it comes crashing down in one mighty fall.
  129. A phantomThis letter charade spells P-H-A-N-T-O-M: P (spell, not book), H (fright/shook), A (cauldron, not pot), N (net/knot), T (bat, not vampire), O (coal, not fire), M (moon, not night).
  130. A cigaretteCigarettes can be hand-rolled or bought pre-made, and health warnings caution against smoking because inhaling the smoke raises the risk of stroke and other illness.
  131. OilCrude oil is pumped from the ground, is highly flammable and hot when heated, and as a fossil fuel it's ancient, black, and economically more valuable than gold.
  132. A zipperA zipper's teeth line up like two rows of soldiers, and the single sliding pull tab is what joins them together or pulls them apart.
  133. FearFear can weaken you in dangerous moments, yet it also protects you by triggering caution, and its physical symptoms -- sweaty hands, a pounding or cold-feeling heart -- rarely trouble the truly bold.
  134. A mouseA mouse has a long tail and brown fur, can be found in both rural and urban settings, and is famously nocturnal, scurrying about once the house has gone quiet.
  135. A cricketA cricket hides in the grass, chirps loudest after dark, and makes its "song" by rubbing its wings together -- no instrument required.
  136. A pearlA pearl forms in the dark interior of an oyster, emerges with a soft pale glow, and its round shape has long made it a favorite jewel among women.
  137. SunshineSunshine constantly sweeps across the land as the earth turns, silently moving from hill to hill -- and wherever it doesn't reach, the shade stays cool.
  138. DustHouse cleaners are hired to remove dust, which constantly settles again under beds and furniture no matter how often it's cleared; the source's "bite" line is a looser fit for dust, more evocative of the tiny dust mites that live within it.
  139. A swordA sword is literally sharp and pointed, and in the age of duels, it could end an argument decisively and silently -- no words needed.
  140. A shadowYour shadow stretches long in the low light of evening, shrinks small under the high midday sun, and disappears entirely indoors under diffuse lighting like a ballroom.
  141. LightningLightning appears as a bright flash during a grey, stormy sky, and it's especially dangerous to metal objects, which conduct electricity.
  142. A compassA drawing compass has two legs -- one fixed as the pivot and one that swings around it to draw a circle -- neither of which ever touches the ground.
  143. A desertA desert is dry and lifeless, and the word "desert" is also a verb meaning "to leave" or abandon -- fitting for a barren place most life avoids.
  144. BellowsFireplace bellows have wooden sides joined by a leather bellows-body, with holes (a nozzle "nose" and an intake "breast") to pump air and stoke a fire -- most useful in cold weather.
  145. JailJail is exactly where you're taken if you're caught breaking the law or defying the government's rules.
  146. A featherA feather (as a quill) can write fine script, birds' feathers shed rain and wind, and feathers are used to fletch arrows for accurate flight and as feather dusters to clean away dust.
  147. A clockA clock's hands "run" continuously, some clocks chime a tune, and you check its face -- with no head to wear a hat -- every time you want to know the time.
  148. A smileA smile can seem to stretch "a mile" wide, costs nothing to give, and appears on faces of every kind of person -- though it's children who share theirs most freely.
  149. An arrowAn arrow has fletching ("feathers"), a shaft ("body"), and a point ("head"), and the archer's own strength -- not a throw -- is what sends it flying from the bow.
  150. SleepSleep bookends every day, and skipping it comes at a cost; "counting sheep" is a classic trick to fall asleep, and oversleeping through class can tank your grades.
  151. A punThe word "pun" is only three letters, and it's famously true that the cheesier and more groan-worthy a pun is, the more people tend to enjoy it.
  152. PunishmentA punishment isn't physically heavy to carry, but it's still a daily burden to bear -- and anyone receiving it certainly wishes they'd never earned it.
  153. SpaceSpace surrounds everything and everywhere, so there's no hiding from it -- yet in a practical sense, like closet or storage space, you can still "run out" of it.
  154. A bookA book's cover ("coat") protects its pages, its price tag judges only the outside, and yet the story within can stir every emotion and holds value far beyond its cover price.
  155. A weaponReading the letters singled out in each line spells "weapon" -- the riddle references cutting, forged steel blades, crossbows, piercing power, and honor, all traits associated with a weapon.
  156. A maskA mask can conceal a thief's identity or adorn a queen's costume, represents comedy and tragedy in theater, and always takes on the borrowed "likeness" of whatever face it depicts.
  157. FriendshipTrue friendship cannot be purchased, must be earned, can survive being "broken" (repaired through reconciliation), and can begin later than birth and endure beyond a person's death in memory.
  158. DewOvernight dew forms and sparkles like emeralds and diamonds on grass, then is "found" glinting once the sun rises, and quickly evaporates away soon after.
  159. A desertA desert's sand constantly shifts and drifts in the wind, sometimes burying lost ancient cities beneath it, and by definition it's a place almost entirely without water.
  160. A sockSocks come in pairs, but one always seems to vanish -- "eaten" by the mythical sock-monster that supposedly lives in washing machines and dryers.
  161. A maggotA maggot is a legless fly larva that feeds on decaying matter, then enters a pupal "sleep" before emerging transformed into a flying adult fly.
  162. RomeAncient Rome's legions (the "iron boot") once ruled Europe, but its power eventually declined and gave way to the rise of the Vatican, a new "holy land" seated in the same city.
  163. A dreamA dream is an illusion the mind creates every night, blending imagination and memory into vivid "stories" that can be pleasant or frightening, and are always fun to retell in the morning.
  164. A fistTen fingers 'make' two fists; a raised fist can intimidate ('quake'), fingers spread apart are weak individually, but clenched together into a fist they strike with force.
  165. The moonThe moon is set high above all things in the night sky and lends its name to describe a soft "moonlit" glow or being "moonstruck" (disgraced/love-mad), yet astronomically it's really just a rocky satellite.
  166. An oil lampIn this old riddle, the "serpent" is the burning wick drawing up oil (the "water") from the lamp's silver reservoir, while the "golden bird" is the flame -- once the oil (the serpent's life) runs out, the flame dies too.
  167. A raftA raft that comes untied and is "set loose" drifts away on the current, and nothing is worse for its stranded rider than watching it float off astray.
  168. MusicMusic can stir up completely different emotions in different listeners -- some drift off dreaming, others tap and stamp along, and others are moved to laughter or tears.
  169. FateYour fate is said to be "in your hands," yet it's invisible and intangible -- only living through time will show how it actually unfolds.
  170. A wheelA wheel spins in circles yet propels a vehicle straight ahead, and it simply rolls wherever it's steered without any resistance of its own.
  171. A broomIn the wizarding sport of Quidditch, players ride flying broomsticks -- fast enough to outrun a twitch -- whether they play seeker, keeper, chaser, or beater.
  172. A virusA virus is invisible to the naked eye, can be deadly, and is the opposite of "man's best friend" (a dog) -- it's a tiny but tough enemy of human health.
  173. A kidneyA kidney filters waste from the blood and produces urine ("juice that's the color of gold"); if it fails, a dialysis machine takes over its filtering job, and kidneys are famously bean-shaped.
  174. A drumA drum's sides are tightly laced or stretched taut, it is hollow inside, and its "head" is simply a stretched layer of skin or synthetic material.
  175. BalanceBalance is desired by everyone -- lose it and you fall over, you must "balance" a budget when spending, and eating in balance (not to excess) is the healthy goal.
  176. A mountainA mountain has "roots" hidden deep underground, towers above even the tallest trees, and though it looks like it keeps rising skyward, it doesn't actually grow.
  177. A terror tour (haunted attraction)A 'terror tour' haunted attraction deliberately scares paying visitors for fun; no one is truly harmed, but the thrill of stepping through its doors is the whole appeal.
  178. A glacierA glacier creeps forward at a slow, grinding pace, carved from packed snow, and it "dies" -- melts away -- either from sun exposure or as it calves into the sea.
  179. CoalCoal is black and sought after when people are cold or tired and need warmth; hauling heavy coal wears out cart horses, while burning it comforts people at home.
  180. The Grim ReaperThe Grim Reaper is the classic personification of death -- feared, seen as a dark omen, and blamed for the dread of things lurking unseen, even when the fear may be unfounded.
  181. A hummingbirdThe hummingbird hovers and darts with brilliant flashes of color, and its name comes from the humming sound of its rapid wingbeats rather than any true song.
  182. PiThe riddle plays on "pie" the food versus "pi" the mathematical constant -- its digits are the key to solving circle and geometry "problems" in math.
  183. A pearlA pearl forms inside an oyster in the dark depths of the sea, is round and softly luminous, and is prized as jewelry -- "a lady's delight."
  184. AsteroidsAsteroids range dramatically in size, from mountain-sized bodies to pebble-sized rocks, and drift endlessly through the vacuum ("waterless sea") of space.
  185. A whipA whip is made of leather and coils up like a snake when not in use, but delivers a stinging "bite" when cracked in a fight or as punishment.
  186. PoisonPoison is a favored "tool" for those who work in secrecy ("darkness"), and once inside a body it corrupts and kills quietly, almost like a spell.
  187. RootsPlant roots grow deep and spread underground, do not need air the way leaves do, and their fine root hairs can be as thin as human hair.
  188. A bow"Bow" names the front of a boat and the curved runner-tip of a sleigh, forms a rainbow with rain, is offered as a gesture of respect to a king, and is also the string-holding weapon used to shoot an arrow.
  189. FireworksFireworks whistle ("screaming") as they soar into the sky and bloom into "flowers of fire" -- and gunpowder fireworks were indeed invented in ancient China, an "Eastern art."
  190. A ghostA ghost is said to be a supernatural presence that, by most beliefs, doesn't actually exist as a living thing, so there is nothing to fear from something not truly real.
  191. A snowmanA snowman is dressed all in white (snow), stands out in the cold, and "runs" -- melts and flows away -- the moment the sun warms him.
  192. A princeA prince remains a prince until the reigning king ("the man who made me") dies, at which point the crown's power and glory pass to him.
  193. A fountainA fountain bubbles, gurgles ("laughs"), and can spray or splash water on passersby -- the "no lady, no lace" lines are just playful misdirection to make you think of a person first.
  194. ChildhoodChildhood always feels like it drags on forever when you're young, but adults look back and feel it flew by -- it's never "ahead" of you, only ever a memory "behind" you.
  195. A sewing machineA sewing machine joins fabric pieces together, its needle constantly moves up and down ("ups, downs"), and it literally works with thread -- "darning" and "hangs by a thread" are puns on its stitching function.