RIDDLE OF THE WEEK

Riddles have been told in English for a thousand years – a fact illustrated by the ninety riddles in “The Exeter Book”, which dates back to 1072. Some of the earliest riddles are both beautiful poetry and amusing in terms of the riddle “game” which entertained communities around the hearth fire long before radio and television. The trick was to paint a picture in words, which could be funny or beautiful or suggestive, and for the audience to guess the answer – a skilled storyteller was highly valued, and the game keenly played. The skill of the riddle is in the clues painted in the audience’s imagination, as well as the beauty of the verse so that means that a child may guess the answer where a professor might struggle with complex reasoning. Properly written, riddles are a bit like Japanese Haiku – short verse of beautiful poetry with a hidden meaning.

The Merliz has her own tame poet who has promised to write for her one riddle each month in return for the Merliz granting a prize to the first correct answer to be drawn. The monthly riddle will appear below, and you are invited to send in your suggestion as to the answer (which is the identity of the object described) in the entry form (click here or below). The Merliz will gather these and will collect all the right answers (if there are more than one) and draw one of them. The winner will receive a hand-crafted pouch from the Merliz, and the other correct entries will receive a token of their success.

Here is this month’s Riddle

Calming I was, Cool and Comforting

For you, my weary wonderer.

I was a mirror for you, a resting place

Silent strength so soft, surge so subtle

Click Here to answer the Riddle of the Month and try to win the Merliz Prize