Brain Teasers
The Hobo and the Zen Master
Situation
Situation puzzles (sometimes called lateral thinking puzzles) are ones where you need to ask lots of yes or no questions to figure out what happened in the situation. These are good puzzles for groups where one person knows the puzzle and answers the questions.Situation
A hobo had just been kicked off the train by one of the bosses. As he made his way down a dusty side road, he noticed a saffron robed man sitting next to a campfire apparently deep in thought. A wonderful smelling stew was bubbling in a pot next to him. It had been a full day since the hobo's last meal, so he went over to the man and tapped him on the shoulder.
"I see by your robes that you are some kind of holy man," said the hobo.
The Zen Master turned to the hobo and said, "You speak the truth."
The hobo spoke, "I would sure like to try the stew you have on the campfire there; perhaps if I could tell you something to increase your wisdom, you will agree to share your meal."
The Zen Master turned to the hobo and said, "Please, you are welcome to share my meal because you have already increased my wisdom!"
What had the Zen Master learned from the hobo to increase his wisdom?
"I see by your robes that you are some kind of holy man," said the hobo.
The Zen Master turned to the hobo and said, "You speak the truth."
The hobo spoke, "I would sure like to try the stew you have on the campfire there; perhaps if I could tell you something to increase your wisdom, you will agree to share your meal."
The Zen Master turned to the hobo and said, "Please, you are welcome to share my meal because you have already increased my wisdom!"
What had the Zen Master learned from the hobo to increase his wisdom?
Hint
The lesson was taught before the hobo spoke.Answer
The Zen Master learned that he should find a more private place to meditate if he doesn't want to be interrupted by every vagabond that happens by.Hide Hint Show Hint Hide Answer Show Answer
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Comments
good one
Very well written. Enjoyed this one as well. Good Job Loved the personal touch
Good one Zona!! I really enjoyed it! But now I'm hungry...
har har - sounds like something the crabby old guru Mr. Natural would have said in the 1970's hippie comic book "The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers"!
Funny.
This puzzle, well, I had noooooooooooooo idea what the answer was . Anyway, it was really cute!
It was funny!
liked it
i found it funny...very funny!
Very fun teaser.
this one is great! i love it
I love this one! Very funny!
I really liked this puzzle! Very clever, and very good use of lateral thinking. I wish I would have come up with the idea! (I figured it out by the way)
I like this - I thought maybe it was to not doze off by your cook pot and let some one walk up on you! -not too far off.
So glad to see this one show up on site. It continues to be so funny!
Let us see some more of your wonderful humor!
Let us see some more of your wonderful humor!
I loved it! I guessed that the Zen master learned that the hobo was truthful... but then I looked at the hint! very good teaser!
Glad you all enjoyed this .. we'll see if we can hear more about the Zen Master .. Zona
This was Great!! I definately want to see more!!! I love trying to figure out the learning modes of Zen
Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!
i liked this one. it was cute. but i didnt get it. i also thought it was that the hobo was truthful, juggler.
This one made me laugh so hard!
The old Zen Master knew that 'you cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair'.
Good one. Remember to keep to keep your fires low and your stews covered.
Good one. Remember to keep to keep your fires low and your stews covered.
very funny! not much of a riddle, though.
Brilliant!
......
Why ddint i think of that?!?!? (sigh)
good teaser
Why ddint i think of that?!?!? (sigh)
good teaser
funny! Don't care much for Zen, but loved the teaser!
HAHAHAHA! Good one!
that was plain mean =.=
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