Hey everyone,

It's been almost a decade since I played the game, but I remember that I had downloaded it from some place on AOL. It was a game where each question was a riddle, and to advance, you had to get the answer exactly right, or else you'd die. I'm not sure if anyone's aware of this.

One of the riddles in it was:
Turn us on our backs
And open up our stomachs
You will be the wisest of men
Though at start a lummox.

That's about all I can remember. Does anyone have this one, or know where I can get it? I've searched for a long time for it.

Thanks,
lakerguy_ca

you'd be better off asking at the IF Archive.
http://www.ifarchive.com I think.

I love riddles. I haven't played that game though.

My guess: the answer is "books"

Very good Steve! :} You've gained 1 Riddle-Life-Point! :} Use it if you get a riddle wrong... it can save you! Next riddle...


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.


Poor birdie. What's the solution?

I'm thinking the bird may be the sun....

I'm not sure if I should give you a Riddle-point or start you out as an unborn with -1 Riddle-points. The (...) leaves me to wonder if you're firm in your answer or still in thought.

Actually, if you look at it a bit further along, the bird becomes a fire or flame..

Although the second line is quite vague - which mouth? The urns? The serpents?

I did think the answer up, and then checked and found I was quite correct..

I won't post it here because it's a spoiling I think.

We should have a spoiler tag option to cover answers like that. Other forums in a similar format to this use it. It's a neat option.

As far as not posting the answer due to spoiling it, I don't know when we would ever post the answer!

I am going to explain my thought process on this riddle. The sun was mentioned but that didn't answer some of the riddle. I thought a flashlight and the gold bird is the lightbulb but then I didn't know what the serpent would be. Semi-Hidden conclusion below:
I settled with that the serpent has to be a wick and it's "swimming" in oil or something. The urn has to be a lamp of sorts. The gold bird is the flame.

An ancient game of colored machines
Driving a grid in a snafu-like fashion
Secret held within his mind
The Great Brit becomes honest

Does the sun become the moon or just fade to black?
If the idea is in flight, then what becomes of the coil?
A peek at the secret turns to white
It's ken not lain in full daylight rejects the growth of the unborn child

What's a snafu?