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Well done Sir Baržolimieu! The answer to my riddle is indeed "thumbs". And for those who might find that even the solution leaves them puzzled, I will explain:

Some wrestle to the final blow,
- who among us has not thumb-wrestled?
Others are held high or low,
- a 'la Siskel and Ebert, thumbs up, thmubs down...
Tis only through their opposition
That man has come to his fruition.
- It can be argued that man's rise as a species is due in whole or large part to his uniquely opposable thumb; that which allows him to grab, fashion and employ tools. Thus, man has been fruitful.

Um.. who's next?

-Griff

Griff'n Faireweather <griff1@grapevine.net>
Canterbury Shire, KS USA - Tuesday, August 17, 1999 at 20:38:36


Good Griff'n,

I do believe the answer to your riddle must be 'thumbs.'

It is a neatly formed riddle with just the proper balance of misdirection and clues. Well done!

Sir Baržolimieu Roderickson of Barrow House, Knight Bachelor
Master of the Gate, Bristol

Barton Rolsky <brolsky@starnetinc.com>
USA - Tuesday, August 10, 1999 at 23:34:24
Here are the answers to the riddles:

1 Do not set me in the sun -- Candle
2 I'm great enough to hide the sun --Mountain
3 I am born in the morning though I'm smaller at midday -- Shadow
4 In the morning, I'm young. In three days, I'm old -- Egg
5 Crushed by a blow and laid with my brothers, --Grape
6 Fountain of myst'ry, Center and source, -- Magic Wand
7 Without my kiss, the grass won't grow. -- Water
8 Slim, trim, and rigid, But only one eye. -- Needle
9 They wrap us in leather; they wrap us in cloth. -- Feet
10 At night when you wander, I watch where you go. -- Star
11 I am the way that your wisdom can live. -- Ink
12 I come in three pieces united in one. -- Hinge
13 My form's ever changing. I'm swift and I'm slow. -- River
14 I'm hard and I'm horny. I'm stiff, long or short. -- Finger nail
15 The use of my nature makes you men now not beasts. -- Fire
16 You ride me at home though you're going no where. -- Chair
17 I lift and I carry. Release and I fall. -- Bucket
18 A city at the edge of town, a house where no one lives, -- Mausoleum
19 I live in a tight place. I float on the sea. -- Cork
20 Dead, gone from life, with guts all out -- Violin
21 I boast no great fame -- Chair

As will be plain to you, good Griff'n had the most correct.

If there is interest expressed here for another such contest, I will be
happy to provide another set of riddles in a more competative format,
probably with answers being e-mailed and not posted and more difficult
riddles. But, I would not force such a thing on you.

It is my thought that riddles are best in company. So, you might consider
memorizing a few of varying dificulty to use among yourselves and with
groups of patrons. One of the nicest feelings is when someone grabs me by
the arm, hours after hearing a riddle, shouting the answer at me and
happy/proud to have solved it.

Your Most Obedient,
Sir Baržolimieu Roderickson of Barrow House, Knight Bachelor
Master of the Gate, Bristol

Post Scriptum: The mysterious posting from Neill about Kilroy having visited was left by the eldest of my younger brothers. Beware! He is a lawyer and a government employee. AND, he is jealous that his status as eldest but one does not give him rights to my estate. I AM thinking of deeding him all my bills (by which I do not refer to agricultural implements or weapons of war.) BLR

Barton Rolsky <brolsky@starnetinc.com>
USA - Tuesday, August 10, 1999 at 15:24:30
Merry met Gabriel!

A cork! As sure as the sun doth rise you've found the answer to that last riddle that had puzzled me! And me, having unstoppered a fair number of corks since I first set about the puzzle...

As to mine own riddle, while I value highly your answer, it, while striking in its apparent fit, is not the answer that I seek.

My very best regards,

-Griff

Griff'n Faireweather <griff1@grapevine.net>
Canterbury Shire, KS USA - Monday, August 9, 1999 at 23:17:12
If any doest wish the reasons to my answers, pray tell ask. I felt it would be a long missive to reason out all.

Once again, Gabriel

Gabriel <ike.ireland@csiusa.com>
Bristiol, WI USA - Monday, August 9, 1999 at 11:59:55
NOw that the contest is over, I will send in my response. I did not wish to have the possibility in winning since I know that good Robyn will always buy me an ale if requested. So here are my answers in order.
1 Sundial.
2 Mountains.
3 Shadow
4 Egg
5 Grapes
6 ????
7 Water
8 Needle
9 Feet
10 A Star
11 Ink
12 A Hinge
13 A River
14 The only thing that came to mind was a rose.
15 Fire
16 A Chair
17 A Bucket
18 A Mausoleum
19 A Cork
And for good Robyn's riddles
a violin ( though actually any necked stringed instrument would work)
and a chair.

For Griff's the thing that came to mind was "An Opinion"

I hope I am more correct than not.
Way Worn Wanderer, Gabriel

Gabriel <ike.ireland@csiusa.com>
Bristol, WI USA - Monday, August 9, 1999 at 11:43:18
Greetings, Sir Baržolimieu of the Gate!

My master, Sir Kilroy, bade me to post notice of his
previous presence in these parts.

Esquire Neill

Neill Martin-Rolsky <nm-r@rocketmail.com>
Potomac, MD USA - Monday, August 9, 1999 at 10:37:03
Robyn -

Thou art not far removed from the answer thou doth seek... even if not for entirely correct reasons. =)

-Griff

Griff'n Faireweather <griff1@grapevine.net>
Canterbury Shire, KS USA - Friday, August 6, 1999 at 22:56:45
Good Griff!

Your puzzle does beg me to ask if "hands" are the answer. For some do arm wrestle... others are held high when waving... others held low when in the mode of manual labor... and when they face each other for a handshake, fellowship occurs and I see man's fruition being the ability to work together.

Pray tell us if this is the answer to your puzzle.

Anon and good days,
Robyn Sotherby

P.S. I do believe that this post may knock my and/or Sir Baržolimieu's puzzles unto another page. Please be certain to scroll them down, for there are only twelve hours left before I tarry to the gates of Bristol

Robyn Sotherby <robynsotherby@yahoo.com>
Bristol, WI USA - Friday, August 6, 1999 at 19:47:09
It's Friday... only one more day left before the contest ends. It appears that all of the riddles have been attempted, now the question remains if they are correct... of course, there is still some time left to make further attempts, so please do so (I desperately want to lose this contest!)

Anon and good days,
Robyn Sotherby

Robyn Sotherby <robynsotherby@yahoo.com>
Bristol, WI USA - Friday, August 6, 1999 at 11:20:19
In response to Robyn's two puzzles, I suggest mayhap a violin, and a chair, respectively.

And now a puzzle of mine own....

Some wrestle to the final blow,
Others are held high or low,
Tis only through their opposition
That man has come to his fruition.

Best regards,

Griff'n Faireweather,
Journeyman Bard, etc.

Griff'n Faireweather <griff1@grapevine.net>
Canterbury Shire, KS USA - Thursday, August 5, 1999 at 10:17:21
Ok, I was told to post my pitiful attempt at the riddle answers here,
so here they are: 1. sundial, 2. moon, 3. shadow, 4. flower, 5. grape (wine),
6. ???, 7. water/rain, 8. needle, 9. feet, 10. stars, 11.ink, 12. lock, 13.???,
14. codpiece, 15. dagger (eating), 16. bed, 17. basket, 18. alehouse, 19. toilet
paper. I'm curious to know just how wrong (or right??) I am!!!

Kimba Morgan <duchessgabriella@england.com>
Redford, MI USA - Thursday, August 5, 1999 at 09:25:02
Good Robyn Sotherby has issued a challenge that one and all should endeavor to unpuzzle your very pretty rhymes. I will strive to do so, and so offer the following as my first effort.

Faire warning fellow riddlers... should you not wish to see mine answers, look no further at this message.


---
Do not set me in the sun... a candle.

------------------------------

I'm great enough to hide the sun... a mountain.

----------------------------------

I am born in the morning though... a shadow.

-----------------------------------------

In the morning, I'm young... an egg.

------------------------------------------

Crushed by a blow and laid with my brothers... a grape.

---------------------------------------

Fountain of myst'ry, Center and source... a match or a torch.

------------------------------------

Without my kiss, the grass won't grow... water.

-------------------------------------

Slim, trim, and rigid, But only one eye... a needle.

----------------------------------------

They wrap us in leather; they wrap us in cloth.... feet.

------------------------------------------

At night when you wander, I watch where you go... a star.

--------------------------------------

I am the way that your wisdom can live.... ink.

-------------------------------------

I come in three pieces united in one.... a hinge.

----------------------------------

My form's ever changing. I'm swift and I'm slow... a river.

---------------------------------------

I'm hard and I'm horny.... a fingernail.

-----------------------------------------

The use of my nature makes you men now not beasts.... fire.

----------------------------------------

You ride me at home though you're going no where.... a chair.

-------------------------------------------

I lift and I carry. Release and I fall.... a bucket or pail.

--------------------------------------

A city at the edge of town, a house where no one lives...
...A mausoleum.

-------------------------------------

I live in a tight place. I float on the sea.
I'm used and removed. I was born from a tree.
I come in all sizes. You squeeze me to fit.
You throw me away and don't worry one bit.
::sigh:: Still puzzled....

Humbly submitt'd -

Griffin Faireweather,
Journeyman Bard, etc.

Griff'n Faireweather <griff1@grapevine.net>
Canterbury Shire, KS USA - Wednesday, August 4, 1999 at 17:31:43
I have received one set of answers by email. Please, post your answers to the riddles here, in public on this board.

Since these riddles are mostly easy, Good Robyn, 'tis less likely than more that you shall have to buy many drinks.

I will add my purse to yours (if you do not have it already) for the person who answers the most riddles that that person may drink deep fully and completely and then do it again. In short, I offer a second prize to that one person who answers the most riddles correctly.

Your Most Obedient,
Sir Baržolimieu Roderickson of Barrow House, Knight Bachelor
Master of the Gate, Bristol.

Barton Rolsky <brolsky@starnetinc.com>
USA - Wednesday, August 4, 1999 at 16:22:23
Here is the challenge from our good friend Robyn:

A CHALLENGE (want me to owe you an ale)!!!

A few months ago Sir Baržolimieu began a fun post on Sir Clisto's Towne
Criar with riddles. Since that time, he has been posting riddles upon
his comment board at http://pwp.starnetinc.com/brolsky/guestbook.html .
Today (Tuesday 8/3/99) I posted two riddles in the hopes to give him
cause to ponder. A short while thereafter he posted 19 in want of
solution. As of this moment I believe I have the solutions to 13 of
them.

I intend to hand him a parchment with all of the solutions this Saturday
morning (mayhaps with the help of one other person). So here is the
challenge which I pose:

If the solutions to ALL 19 of his riddles AND the 2 of mine are posted
upon his board before 8 am Saturday morning (the time I leave for
Bristol), I will suffer to buy all that helped solve them an ale (or
other beverage of choosing). However, with a possible 21 drinks to
purchase, I have a few stipulations:

1) Only the FIRST person to CORRECTLY answer will be eligible.
2) I will only feel it necessary to purchase one ale for each person
participating. So, although you could really stick it me by having other
people answer the riddles, you can assure that you will get an ale if
you answer as many as you can. (My idea here is to invoke the spirit of
the challenge, NOT go broke, please honor that spirit).
3) If you are not in attendence at Bristol, I will figure out some other
way to repay my debt should I lose.

Is that fair? Oh, if I win... you know how I'm very amiable to hearty
handshakes and smiles (though I hope I can still receive those should I
lose). One last comment about the challenge... since we posted our
riddles seperately, it is only fair to inform you that the riddles may
duplicate themselves.

Good Sir Baržolimieu, I know you to be a man of honor. I hope this
challenge is to your liking and will help keep accurate count of the
solutions. If this is not to your liking, please let me know so that I
might rescind the challenge.


For Robyn,
Sir Baržolimieu Roderickson of Barrow House, Knight Bachelor
Master of the Gate, Bristol

Barton Rolsky <brolsky@starnetinc.com>
USA - Wednesday, August 4, 1999 at 16:13:42
OH DEAR LORD!!!! Laughing my bum off!

Puzzling days ahead of me,
Robyn Sotherby

Robyn Sotherby <robynsotherby@yahoo.com>
Bristol, WI USA - Tuesday, August 3, 1999 at 17:32:50
Good Master Robyn,

I thank you for your pretty compliments. So that I do not ponder alone, I offer these, the remainder of my youthful riddles:

Do not set me in the sun
Or I shall very quickly run.
For half the day I've little use.
At night I perish. Now deduce.

------------------------------

I'm great enough to hide the sun
When day begins or day is done.
My feet are lesser shapes of me.
My head is where the clouds should be.

----------------------------------

I am born in the morning though I'm smaller at midday
And when the sun is setting I will often go away
But I do not need the golden orb to make my presence known.
A simple candle will suffice to see what can be shown.

-----------------------------------------

In the morning, I'm young. In three days, I'm old
Less I'm kept safe and warm till my insides unfold.
I come in pale colors and a fruit I've been called
Though I come from no plant and I'll break if I'm mauled.

------------------------------------------

Crushed by a blow and laid with my brothers,
You've taken my blood and that of the others.
I was hung in the sun, I was happy and still,
Till you snuffed out my life for an ev'ning's brief thrill.

---------------------------------------

Fountain of myst'ry, Center and source,
Slim like an arrow, Container of force,
Son of a tree limb mated with arte.
My efforts are fearsome. Danger Depart!

------------------------------------

Without my kiss, the grass won't grow.
Without me there, no rivers flow.
Without my touch, your life is short,
The earth is dust, no ships, no port.

-------------------------------------

Slim, trim, and rigid, But only one eye.
I pull a slight load, yet I bind and I tie.
I join things together. I hide where I fall.
I'm sharp and I'm piercing, yet I've no head at all.

----------------------------------------

They wrap us in leather; they wrap us in cloth.
They stick us in water and wash the dirt off.
Our station's the lowest to've brought you so far.
If we hurt, you'll suffer. Now say who we are.

------------------------------------------

At night when you wander, I watch where you go.
I see you in summer. I see you in snow.
My brothers together and I in the night
Will watch you and guide you, but leave at day light.

--------------------------------------

I am the way that your wisdom can live.
I am the memory of what the past gives.
Without me the pages of time would be white.
I'm darker than ev'ning but used best in light.

-------------------------------------

I come in three pieces united in one.
I hang 'round the house and my work's never done.
The door is my partner. The lid is my friend.
To use what I offer, just bid me, unbend.

----------------------------------

My form's ever changing. I'm swift and I'm slow.
They set things upon me and go where I go.
They taste of my body and live by my side.
My bed, like most others, is longer than wide.

---------------------------------------

I'm hard and I'm horny. I'm stiff, long or short.
I guard where you're tender. I'm painted for court.
My skin's firm and smooth but not hard as glass.
You find me quite useful when lice bit your ass.

-----------------------------------------

The use of my nature makes you men now not beasts.
You keep me at home and you take me to feasts.
You feed me in darkness when the air's blowing cold.
But the god's gift is death if I'm not kept controlled.

----------------------------------------

You ride me at home though you're going no where.
I have four strong legs and each leg is bare.
There's also my stong back. My arms are strong, too.
My lap is your haven when two legs won't do.

-------------------------------------------

I lift and I carry. Release and I fall.
I've a bottom and one side and no top at all.
I've no legs to move me, so that you must do.
I'll hold what your hands can't till my job is through.

--------------------------------------

A city at the edge of town, a house where no one lives,
A bed with comfort never felt, a feast that each man gives.
Forget the city and the town, forget the feast and bed.
Let thoughts of comfort rush away and name the house instead.

-------------------------------------

I live in a tight place. I float on the sea.
I'm used and removed. I was born from a tree.
I come in all sizes. You squeeze me to fit.
You throw me away and don't worry one bit.

All of these are simple, I think. I tried to make them so. Feel free to
share the solving of them. That is what was intended when they were
written.

Your Most Obedient,
Sir Baržolimieu Roderickson of Barrow House, Knight Bachelor
Master of the Gate, Bristol

Barton Rolsky <brolsky@starnetinc.com>
USA - Tuesday, August 3, 1999 at 16:11:55
Finally, Sir Baržolimieu, I have a couple to offer you. I fear they are not as witty or troublesome as some you have presented, but I do hope they give you a might bit of enjoyment. I shall look forward to your answers at the gate!

Dead, gone from life, with guts all out
And we know the dead can not shout
Even with my throat still now clenched
My voice continues to be wrenched

----

I boast no great fame
My legs are lame
And my arms can't lift
Yet, no matter what shift,
From you I will not rob,
I am best for the job

Anon and good days,
Robyn Sotherby

Robyn Sotherby <robynsotherby@yahoo.com>
Bristol, WI USA - Tuesday, August 3, 1999 at 12:10:07

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