Lateral Thinking Riddles

Lateral thinking puzzles involve solving problems through an indirect and creative approach, using reasoning that is not immediately obvious, thinking out of the box and involving ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic.

Campers’ Dilemma

A group of campers have been on vacation so long, that they’ve forgotten the day of the week. The following conversation ensues.

Darryl: What day is it? I don’t think it is Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
Tracy: Well that doesn’t narrow it down much. Yesterday was Sunday.
Melissa: Yesterday wasn’t Sunday, tomorrow is Sunday.
Ben: The day after tomorrow is Saturday.
Adrienne: The day before yesterday was Thursday.
Susie: Tomorrow is Saturday.
David: I know that the day after tomorrow is not Friday.

If only one person’s statement is true, what day of the week is it?

Riddle Answer

Arthur in Chicago

Arthur lives with his parents in Chicago. Last week, while his parents were out, Arthur’s next-door neighbor Sophie came round to spend the evening. At one point, she popped out to buy some cigarettes. Just then, two men burst into the apartment and, ignoring Arthur, took the TV set, the stereo and a computer.

Arthur had never seen the men before, and they had no legal right to remove the equipment, yet he did nothing to stop them. In fact, he didn’t even act surprised by their behavior. Why not?

Riddle Answer