Ever since I was a kid I have always been fascinated by puzzles and riddles that require a little thought to solve. Below is one that I was told when I was on the troop ship on my way back from Korea in 1962. I hope that you enjoy solving it as much as I did.

Scroll down for more puzzles and thanks for looking.

It has been written that somewhere in the central Atlantic there lies an uncharted and mysterious island. The island, known in the legend only by the name of "Kingsland" and is inhabited by a tribe of peculiar people whereby all of the men dress alike. Kingsland is bountiful with beautiful women, exotic food and drink. The island has riches a plenty.

Even though the men dress alike, there are extreme differences between them. One difference is there are Kings and there are Slaves. The kings enjoy all of the riches of the island while the Slaves have nothing and must do all of the work for the Kings.

Should anyone have the fortune or misfortune to find this island and land there, that person will be confronted by three of the men. If the person can detect who of the three are Kings and who are Slaves - then that person will become a King to enjoy all of the pleasures of the island. If he fails to identify each one correctly, he will be put to death or he will become a Slave. All at the will of the Kings.

To add to the seriousness of the identity discovery, he is only allowed one well phrased question of each of the three men standing before him. The men must answer but the Kings must always tell the truth and the Slaves must always lie or be put to death.

It has been said that only one has identified the men as Kings or as Slaves and lived to tell about it. Here is the story.

One night during a hurricane a sailor was washed overboard and awoke the next morning on the shore of Kingsland. Standing before him was three men who looked and dressed alike. The sailor recalled the legend of Kingsland and knew that he was in trouble unless he identified the men correctly as Kings or Slaves. After a short time he mustered the courage to ask the first man, "What are you?"

The first man responded by saying only, "I am a King"

The sailor knew that he should phrase his questions with with care so he to the second man he asked, "What are you and is the first man telling the truth?"

During the second mans answer a huge wave crashed on the shore and the sailor did not hear the mans answer.

Now in a near state of panic and waiting for a quiet time between waves, the sailor carefully asked the third man, "What are you and tell me if the first man is truthful and what the second man had said?"

The third man answered "I am a King, the first man is lying and the second man said 'I am a Slave and the first man is a Slave'."

The sailor pondered for a while and then boldly made his determination and because he made the right choices, was made a King.

Can you figure it out? If you can, email me at petesgl@comcast.net and use "Answer" in the Subject line. Please tell me how you arrived at your conclusion. If your answer is correct, your first name will be added to the Kings List above right.

Good luck

Orthographic's, anyone?

The puzzle below was given to my drafting class as a final exam. It is a drawing of a solid object and is therefore three dimensional.

The Top View and Front View has enough dimensions to draw the End View. It looks simple but it can fool you. BTW ....There are two different ways to draw the End View. Send a sketch of the correct End View and we will send you a Pistol Pete's ball cap.

Good Luck

STICKler of a puzzle

I cannot remember where I came across this one but I believe that my former Mechanical Drafting instructor gave it to the class as a "Brain teaser"

The next time you get a bite to eat in the kitchen, go to the cupboard and pull 6 toothpicks out of the box or any six straight equal length sticks will work as well.

Set them down on a flat surface and arrange them so that they display four equilateral triangles (equal length sides and equal angles) like the picture below.

Each triangle will have its sides the same length as the other triangles and there will be no more than 4 triangles or left over parts when you are finished.

Hang in there, this isn't quite as easy as it appears so "stick" to it.

"DRIVING me crazy"

There was no moon, the sky was completely overcast so the stars were not visible.
In the middle of a lonely road without the benefit of streetlights walked a man wearing dark clothing. He also had on a dark hat and because it was chilly, the collar of his jacket was pulled up nearly covering his face.
Traveling toward him was a car that did not have its lights on. The driver was somewhat inebriated and should not have been at the wheel.
Just as the car neared the man in dark clothes, the driver swerved and missed him.

Question: How did the driver "see" the man on the road in time to swerve avoiding a terrible mishap?

"Bear" with me on this one

Being an avid big game hunter a man built a cabin in a large clearing.
Gathering his hunting rifle and gear one morning, he set out to bag a big ole bear.
Traveling due south and being as quiet as possible, he had gone 15 miles and not once did he spot a bear.
He then decided to set out in a different direction so he turned due east. After traveling another 15 miles he spotted a bear and was able to make the kill.
Fearing nightfall would set in he turned and set his course due north.
After another 15 miles he arrived back at his cabin.

Question: What color was the bear?

4 squares and 7 jeers ago

Shown above is a well used 72" folding carpenters ruler. This particular Lufkin has an extension blade on the back arm but it will not be necessary to solve this rather unique puzzle.

Your task is to fold the ruler in such a way that you will form 4 equal squares using the arms of the ruler. There are 12 arms that swivel from the next one so it shouldn't be difficult, right? Don't be to sure but good luck. BTW....It can be done. If you solve this one, please send me a pic of your solution. Good luck....Pistol

petesgl@comcast.net to submit a puzzle or riddle

KINGS LIST:

1) Pistol Pete
2) His Majesty Joe crowned 12-20-08
3) His Majesty Jerry crowned 01-01-09
4) His Majesty Mark crowned 02-17-09
5) His Majesty William crowned 02-17-09
6) His Majesty Tom crowned 03-21-09
7) His Majesty Keith crowned 05-04-09
8) His Majesty Tim crowned 05-14-09
9) His Majesty Alan crowned 05-19-09
10) His Majesty Chris crowned 07-22-09
11) His Majesty Ryan crowned 11-02-09

Congratulations to Jerry for the correct solution to the missing drawing view. Jerry has been given a Pistol Pete's Hat, Thanks Jerry, great job.

Mark is our first Stickler Champion
Bill is our second Stickler Champion
Alan is our third Stickler Champion