Clever Story Riddles for Adults – Can You Solve Them?

Intro:

Do you enjoy puzzles that make you think beyond simple wordplay? Story riddles are perfect for adults who love a good mystery and logical thinking. Each riddle presents a short scenario, and your task is to unravel the clues and find the answer. Ready to test your detective skills? Let’s dive into these mind-bending story riddles!

Twist of Fate: Easy Story Riddles for Adults

Simple story riddles with unexpected turns.

1. Riddle: I left my house with a wallet full, came back with none, yet I’m richer than before. What happened?
   Answer: I spent it all on a winning lottery ticket.
2. Riddle: She walked into the bar with a frown, left with a smile, but never drank a drop. Why?
   Answer: She met an old friend who cheered her up.
3. Riddle: He carried a heavy bag to the river, threw it in, and felt lighter. What was in the bag?
   Answer: His guilt (symbolized by rocks).
4. Riddle: I locked my door at night, woke to find it open, yet nothing was gone. How?
   Answer: My roommate came home late and unlocked it.
5. Riddle: She wrote a letter, burned it, and still got a reply. What did she do?
   Answer: She sent it first, then burned the draft.
6. Riddle: He stood in the rain with no umbrella, stayed dry, and wasn’t indoors. How?
   Answer: He wore a raincoat.
7. Riddle: I gave away my last dollar, yet my pocket felt heavier. Why?
   Answer: Someone gave me coins in return.
8. Riddle: She screamed at the empty room, and someone answered. Who?
   Answer: Her echo.
9. Riddle: He drove home in silence, arrived to music, but didn’t turn it on. What happened?
   Answer: His family threw a surprise party.
10. Riddle: I lost my keys in the dark, found them in the light, but never turned one on. How?
    Answer: The sun rose.
11. Riddle: She packed her suitcase to leave, stayed home, and was glad she did. Why?
    Answer: A storm canceled her flight.
12. Riddle: He bet everything on red, lost, and still walked away happy. Why?
    Answer: It was just a game with friends.
13. Riddle: I broke a glass, smiled, and didn’t clean it up. What happened?
    Answer: It was part of a toast at a celebration.
14. Riddle: She hid her diary, but someone read it without finding it. How?
    Answer: She’d read it aloud earlier.
15. Riddle: He ran from the fire, returned to it, and survived. Why?
    Answer: It was a campfire he’d put out and relit.
16. Riddle: I paid for a meal I didn’t eat, left full, and tipped well. What happened?
    Answer: I treated a friend to dinner.
17. Riddle: She waved at the stranger, he waved back, but they never met. How?
    Answer: It was a reflection in a window.
18. Riddle: He sold his car, kept driving it, and wasn’t stealing. Why?
    Answer: He sold it to his spouse.
19. Riddle: I forgot my lines, the crowd cheered, and I bowed. What was I doing?
    Answer: Improvising in a play.
20. Riddle: She waited for the train that never came, yet arrived on time. How?
    Answer: She took a bus instead.

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Dark Humor Tales: Funny Story Riddles for Adults

Humorous story riddles with a wry twist.

21. Riddle: He dug a hole for hours, fell in, and laughed all night. Why?
    Answer: He was drunk and thought it was a bed.
22. Riddle: She brought flowers to the party, left with none, and everyone cried. What happened?
    Answer: It was a funeral she mistook for a party.
23. Riddle: I ate the whole cake, got sick, and thanked the baker. Why?
    Answer: It was my last meal before the diet.
24. Riddle: He proposed with a ring, she said no, and he kept it on. How?
    Answer: He proposed to himself in a mirror.
25. Riddle: She danced with a stranger, tripped, and woke up alone. Where was she?
    Answer: In a dream she fell out of bed from.
26. Riddle: I lost my job, celebrated, and got a raise. What happened?
    Answer: I quit a side gig for a better main job.
27. Riddle: He shouted at the wall, it shouted back, and he punched it. Who won?
    Answer: The wall—he broke his hand.
28. Riddle: She baked a pie for her ex, he choked, and she smiled. Why?
    Answer: It was too dry, not poisoned.
29. Riddle: I locked myself out, climbed in, and locked it again. Why?
    Answer: To mess with my nosy neighbor.
30. Riddle: He ran from the cops, hid in plain sight, and waved goodbye. How?
    Answer: It was a marathon, not a crime.
31. Riddle: She mailed a brick, got a thank-you note, and laughed. What happened?
    Answer: It was a prank on a friend.
32. Riddle: I burned my toast, ate it, and bragged about it. Why?
    Answer: I called it “artisanal char.”
33. Riddle: He jumped off a bridge, landed safe, and did it again. Where was he?
    Answer: On a bungee cord.
34. Riddle: She forgot her anniversary, he forgot too, and they partied. Why?
    Answer: It was someone else’s they crashed.
35. Riddle: I waved at my boss, he fired me, and I thanked him. Why?
    Answer: I hated the job and wanted out.
36. Riddle: He stole a kiss, got slapped, and grinned all day. Why?
    Answer: It was his wife playing along.
37. Riddle: She buried her phone, dug it up, and called it art. What happened?
    Answer: She was drunk and forgot where it was.
38. Riddle: I paid for silence, got noise, and tipped extra. Why?
    Answer: The bar’s “quiet hour” was a lie.
39. Riddle: He broke his leg, danced anyway, and won a prize. How?
    Answer: It was a costume contest, not a dance.
40. Riddle: She wrote her will, tore it up, and lived longer. Why?
    Answer: It was a draft she didn’t need yet.

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Mind Maze Chronicles: Logical Story Riddles for Adults

Logical story riddles to test reasoning.

41. Riddle: I left home with one shoe, returned with two, but didn’t buy any. How?
    Answer: I found the pair’s match on the way back.
42. Riddle: She spoke no words, he understood, and they parted ways. Why?
    Answer: She used sign language to end it.
43. Riddle: He entered with a full glass, left with an empty one, but didn’t drink. What happened?
    Answer: He watered a plant.
44. Riddle: I counted ten guests, fed five, and all were full. How?
    Answer: Five brought their own food.
45. Riddle: She ran east with the wind, stopped west against it, and won. Why?
    Answer: It was a race with a turnaround.
46. Riddle: He locked the safe, forgot the code, and still got in. How?
    Answer: It was empty and unlocked already.
47. Riddle: I paid twice for one ticket, traveled once, and wasn’t scammed. Why?
    Answer: I bought it for someone else too.
48. Riddle: She hid in the dark, lights came on, and she stayed hidden. How?
    Answer: She was under the bed.
49. Riddle: He shouted his secret, no one heard, and he kept it safe. Where was he?
    Answer: Alone in the woods.
50. Riddle: I broke the law, smiled at the judge, and walked free. What happened?
    Answer: It was a mock trial game.
51. Riddle: She painted the room red, it turned blue, and she wasn’t surprised. Why?
    Answer: She used color-changing paint.
52. Riddle: He carried nothing, dropped something, and picked it up. What was it?
    Answer: His pace—he slowed, then sped up.
53. Riddle: I waited an hour, moved no distance, and arrived on time. How?
    Answer: I was waiting at the destination.
54. Riddle: She burned her bridge, crossed it, and never looked back. How?
    Answer: It was a metaphor for a relationship.
55. Riddle: He bought a clock with no hands, it worked, and he wasn’t late. Why?
    Answer: It was digital.
56. Riddle: I whispered loud, no one heard, and I got my point across. How?
    Answer: I wrote it down too.
57. Riddle: She lost her shadow, found it, and left it behind. Where was she?
    Answer: In a room with shifting lights.
58. Riddle: He built a house with no doors, lived in it, and stayed safe. What was it?
    Answer: A tent.
59. Riddle: I traded my watch for time, got less, and felt richer. Why?
    Answer: I gained a moment of peace.
60. Riddle: She drove backward, arrived forward, and parked straight. How?
    Answer: She reversed into a spot.

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Numbered Narratives: Math-Based Story Riddles for Adults

Story riddles with numbers to solve.

61. Riddle: He had 5 coins, spent 2, and still had 5. How?
    Answer: He spent someone else’s coins.
62. Riddle: She baked 8 cookies, ate 3, and 6 remained. What happened?
    Answer: She baked 1 more while eating.
63. Riddle: I walked 10 miles, rested, and had 12 to go. How far was my trip?
    Answer: 22 miles total.
64. Riddle: He invited 7 friends, 4 came, and 8 ate dinner. Who else was there?
    Answer: Him (making 5 total diners).
65. Riddle: She bought 6 bottles, broke 2, and poured 5 drinks. How?
    Answer: One was already open.
66. Riddle: I worked 9 hours, slept 8, and had 7 left. What was my day?
    Answer: 24 hours total.
67. Riddle: He owned 3 cars, sold 1, and drove 2 away. How?
    Answer: He sold it to a friend who left it with him.
68. Riddle: She counted 10 stars, blinked, and saw 11. Why?
    Answer: A plane flew into view.
69. Riddle: I paid $5 for 4 coffees, got $2 back, and tipped $1. How much per coffee?
    Answer: $1 each (after change).
70. Riddle: He ran 6 laps, stopped at 5, and finished with 6. How?
    Answer: He paused mid-lap, then completed it.
71. Riddle: She had 8 books, lent 3, and read 6. What happened?
    Answer: She got 1 back before reading.
72. Riddle: I caught 7 fish, ate 2, and gave 6 away. How?
    Answer: I caught 1 more later.
73. Riddle: He planted 5 trees, 2 died, and 4 grew tall. What happened?
    Answer: He replanted 1.
74. Riddle: She wrote 9 letters, mailed 4, and got 6 replies. Why?
    Answer: 2 were to herself.
75. Riddle: I drove 10 miles, turned back 3, and reached 8. How far was home?
    Answer: 8 miles total.
76. Riddle: He had 6 shirts, wore 2, and washed 5. How?
    Answer: He owned more he didn’t count.
77. Riddle: She spent 7 days away, packed for 5, and wore 6 outfits. Why?
    Answer: She borrowed 1.
78. Riddle: I lost 4 pounds, gained 3, and weighed 2 less. What was my start?
    Answer: Any weight minus 1 net loss.
79. Riddle: He bet $10, won $5, and left with $20. What did he start with?
    Answer: $15.
80. Riddle: She saw 8 birds, 3 flew off, and 6 landed. How many now?
    Answer: 11 total.

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Deceptive Dramas: Tricky Story Riddles for Adults

Clever story riddles with misdirection.

81. Riddle: He died at noon, spoke at one, and ate dinner. How?
    Answer: He faked his death.
82. Riddle: She stole a diamond, returned it, and kept it still. What did she do?
    Answer: She swapped it with a fake.
83. Riddle: I flew without wings, landed safe, and never left the ground. What was I?
    Answer: A dream.
84. Riddle: He shot himself, missed, and died anyway. Why?
    Answer: He fell off a cliff while shooting.
85. Riddle: She slept with the lights on, woke in the dark, and wasn’t scared. Why?
    Answer: It was morning.
86. Riddle: I won a race I didn’t run, cheered, and took no prize. How?
    Answer: I bet on the winner.
87. Riddle: He drank poison, laughed, and lived to tell. What was it?
    Answer: A prank drink.
88. Riddle: She burned her house, saved it, and moved out. How?
    Answer: It was a controlled burn she planned.
89. Riddle: I lost my head, found it, and lost it again. What was I?
    Answer: A mannequin.
90. Riddle: He married her twice, divorced once, and stayed single. How?
    Answer: It was a play he acted in.
91. Riddle: She whispered a lie, shouted the truth, and no one believed her. Why?
    Answer: She was known for lying.
92. Riddle: I sank a ship, swam ashore, and never got wet. What happened?
    Answer: It was a model ship in a bottle.
93. Riddle: He broke his promise, kept it, and broke it again. What was it?
    Answer: A vow of silence.
94. Riddle: She saw the future, changed it, and forgot it all. How?
    Answer: She wrote a story, edited it, and lost the draft.
95. Riddle: I climbed a mountain, fell, and reached the top. How?
    Answer: I fell upward in a dream.
96. Riddle: He hid in a crowd, stood alone, and vanished. Where was he?
    Answer: On a stage.
97. Riddle: She ate her words, spat them out, and wrote them down. What was she?
    Answer: A poet.
98. Riddle: I caught a thief, freed him, and got robbed. Why?
    Answer: He was my brother.
99. Riddle: He painted a wall black, it turned white, and he laughed. How?
    Answer: It snowed over it.
100. Riddle: She ran from love, caught it, and let it go. What was it?
     Answer: A dog.

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Shadows of Suspense: Spooky Story Riddles for Adults

Eerie story riddles with a chill.

101. Riddle: He heard footsteps behind him, turned, and saw no one—yet they stopped. Why?
     Answer: It was his heartbeat.
102. Riddle: She lit a candle, it went out, and she screamed in the light. How?
     Answer: Lightning struck outside.
103. Riddle: I slept in a coffin, woke refreshed, and left it behind. Where was I?
     Answer: A themed hotel.
104. Riddle: He saw his face in the mirror, it smiled, and he didn’t. What happened?
     Answer: It was a photo stuck there.
105. Riddle: She danced with a shadow, it left, and she followed. Where did she go?
     Answer: Into the dark.
106. Riddle: I buried a man alive, dug him up, and he thanked me. Why?
     Answer: It was a prank gone wrong.
107. Riddle: He locked the door, it opened, and he wasn’t alone. Who was there?
     Answer: A ghost (in his mind).
108. Riddle: She wrote her name in blood, erased it, and wrote it again. How?
     Answer: It was red ink she spilled.
109. Riddle: I walked through a wall, felt cold, and came out warm. Where was I?
     Answer: A haunted house attraction.
110. Riddle: He sang to the dead, they clapped, and he ran. What happened?
     Answer: It was a recording he forgot about.
111. Riddle: She saw eyes in the dark, blinked, and they glowed brighter. Why?
     Answer: They were a cat’s.
112. Riddle: I cut my hand, it bled, and healed in seconds. How?
     Answer: It was fake blood for a costume.
113. Riddle: He fell from a tower, landed soft, and screamed anyway. Why?
     Answer: He landed on a body.
114. Riddle: She whispered to the grave, it answered, and she smiled. What was it?
     Answer: A voice recorder she left there.
115. Riddle: I ran from the light, hid in the dark, and it followed me. What was it?
     Answer: My shadow.
116. Riddle: He drank from a skull, spat it out, and lived. What was it?
     Answer: A novelty cup.
117. Riddle: She woke to chains rattling, laughed, and went back to sleep. Why?
     Answer: It was her dog’s collar.
118. Riddle: I saw a hand in the window, waved, and it vanished. How?
     Answer: It was my reflection.
119. Riddle: He burned a book, it screamed, and he kept reading. What was it?
     Answer: An audiobook playing.
120. Riddle: She walked on graves, sank, and rose again. Where was she?
     Answer: A muddy cemetery path.

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Love’s Tangled Lies: Romantic Story Riddles for Adults

Romantic story riddles with emotional twists.

121. Riddle: He gave her his heart, she broke it, and he thanked her. Why?
     Answer: It was a heart-shaped gift she fixed.
122. Riddle: She kissed him goodbye, met him again, and kissed him hello. How?
     Answer: They reunited after a fight.
123. Riddle: I wrote her a song, she sang it, and I cried alone. Why?
     Answer: She sang it with someone else.
124. Riddle: He proposed at dawn, she said yes at dusk, and they never spoke. How?
     Answer: It was a letter he sent.
125. Riddle: She wore his ring, took it off, and gave it back—yet they stayed together. Why?
     Answer: It didn’t fit, so he resized it.
126. Riddle: I waited for her call, it came, and I hung up happy. What happened?
     Answer: She said she loved me.
127. Riddle: He danced with her shadow, she joined, and they parted. Where were they?
     Answer: A dimly lit bar.
128. Riddle: She burned his photo, kept it, and smiled at it daily. How?
     Answer: She burned a copy, kept the original.
129. Riddle: I sent her flowers, she sent them back, and I proposed. Why?
     Answer: She was allergic but loved the gesture.
130. Riddle: He left her a note, she read it, and they never met again. What did it say?
     Answer: “I’m moving away.”
131. Riddle: She stole his watch, he stole it back, and they laughed. Why?
     Answer: It was a playful game.
132. Riddle: I saw her in the rain, stayed dry, and fell deeper. How?
     Answer: I watched from a window.
133. Riddle: He built her a house, she left, and he stayed. Why?
     Answer: It was for her new life elsewhere.
134. Riddle: She whispered his name, he didn’t hear, and she smiled. Why?
     Answer: She was practicing for later.
135. Riddle: I gave her my jacket, froze, and warmed her heart. Where were we?
     Answer: On a cold date night.
136. Riddle: He broke her vase, she broke his, and they kissed. What happened?
     Answer: They forgave each other’s clumsiness.
137. Riddle: She ran from his arms, returned, and stayed forever. Why?
     Answer: She forgot her keys.
138. Riddle: I lost her number, found it, and lost her again. How?
     Answer: She changed it after we fought.
139. Riddle: He painted her portrait, she hated it, and he loved her more. Why?
     Answer: She was honest about it.
140. Riddle: She cried at his gift, he cried too, and they laughed after. What was it?
     Answer: An onion (a joke gift).

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Mystery Unraveled: Hard Story Riddles for Adults

Complex story riddles for deep thinking.

141. Riddle: He killed a man, mourned him, and was never caught. Why?
     Answer: It was a mercy killing he confessed to privately.
142. Riddle: She vanished at midnight, returned at dawn, and no one noticed. How?
     Answer: She was sleepwalking.
143. Riddle: I spoke to the dead, they answered, and I wrote it down. What was I?
     Answer: A writer imagining voices.
144. Riddle: He sank a fortune, sailed away, and came back richer. How?
     Answer: He invested in a ship that paid off.
145. Riddle: She wore a mask, took it off, and no one recognized her. Why?
     Answer: It was her face they knew, not her true self.
146. Riddle: I burned my past, kept it, and sold it later. What was it?
     Answer: A diary I photocopied first.
147. Riddle: He walked on water, sank, and walked again. Where was he?
     Answer: On a frozen lake that thawed.
148. Riddle: She stole a life, gave it back, and lost her own. What happened?
     Answer: She saved someone at her expense.
149. Riddle: I counted stars, lost track, and found more than I saw. How?
     Answer: I dreamed of extras.
150. Riddle: He locked his soul away, freed it, and locked it again. What was it?
     Answer: A locket with a photo.
151. Riddle: She sang to an empty room, it filled, and she stopped. Why?
     Answer: Her voice drew a crowd.
152. Riddle: I broke a chain, wore it, and freed myself. What was it?
     Answer: A necklace I repurposed.
153. Riddle: He hid in plain sight, vanished, and returned unseen. How?
     Answer: He was a street performer.
154. Riddle: She wrote a lie, it became true, and she erased it. What was it?
     Answer: A prediction she influenced.
155. Riddle: I climbed nothing, fell far, and landed high. Where was I?
     Answer: In a metaphor for life.
156. Riddle: He drank his fear, spat it out, and faced it again. What was it?
     Answer: Whiskey before a speech.
157. Riddle: She lost her voice, found it, and silenced it forever. How?
     Answer: She recorded it, then went mute.
158. Riddle: I built a wall, it fell, and I walked through. What was it?
     Answer: A sandcastle.
159. Riddle: He ran from time, caught it, and let it pass. What was he?
     Answer: A clockmaker.
160. Riddle: She saw her death, avoided it, and died anyway. How?
     Answer: It was a vision she outlived briefly.

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Who Am I, Really?: What Am I? Story Riddles for Adults

Story riddles asking “What Am I?” with narrative clues.

161. Riddle: I walked away from home, returned with more, and left again richer. What am I?
     Answer: A traveler.
162. Riddle: I spoke without sound, he heard me clear, and we parted forever. What am I?
     Answer: A letter.
163. Riddle: I filled a glass, emptied it elsewhere, and stayed full. What am I?
     Answer: A river.
164. Riddle: I hosted ten, fed half, and satisfied all. What am I?
     Answer: A chef.
165. Riddle: I danced in the wind, stopped still, and won her heart. What am I?
     Answer: A kite.
166. Riddle: I locked away treasure, forgot how, and kept it safe. What am I?
     Answer: A memory.
167. Riddle: I paid for one, carried two, and arrived alone. What am I?
     Answer: A ticket stub.
168. Riddle: I hid in light, shone in dark, and vanished at dawn. What am I?
     Answer: A star.
169. Riddle: I shouted in silence, stayed unheard, and won the day. What am I?
     Answer: A thought.
170. Riddle: I broke the rules, faced no judge, and walked away free. What am I?
     Answer: A dream.
171. Riddle: I painted the sky, changed it, and left it untouched. What am I?
     Answer: A cloud.
172. Riddle: I carried nothing, dropped it, and picked it up again. What am I?
     Answer: A habit.
173. Riddle: I waited forever, moved nowhere, and reached my goal. What am I?
     Answer: A shadow.
174. Riddle: I burned a path, crossed it, and left it behind. What am I?
     Answer: A match.
175. Riddle: I told time without hands, worked fine, and never chimed. What am I?
     Answer: A sundial.
176. Riddle: I whispered loud, stayed silent, and spoke volumes. What am I?
     Answer: A book.
177. Riddle: I lost my form, regained it, and shifted once more. What am I?
     Answer: Water.
178. Riddle: I built a home, lived outside, and kept it safe. What am I?
     Answer: A fence.
179. Riddle: I traded hours, gained moments, and lost nothing. What am I?
     Answer: A nap.
180. Riddle: I drove backward, moved forward, and stopped straight. What am I?
     Answer: A car.

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Wordplay Whodunits: Punny Story Riddles for Adults

Punny story riddles with clever wordplay (25 to reach 205).

181. Riddle: I “fled” with cash, came back “rich,” and never stole. What am I?
     Answer: A gambler.
182. Riddle: I “penned” a tale, burned the “draft,” and got a reply. What am I?
     Answer: A writer.
183. Riddle: I “rained” on his parade, stayed “dry,” and won the day. What am I?
     Answer: A critic.
184. Riddle: I “locked” my fate, opened “doors,” and stayed inside. What am I?
     Answer: A riddle.
185. Riddle: I “shot” the breeze, “missed,” and hit the mark. What am I?
     Answer: A talker.
186. Riddle: I “broke” the bank, “fixed” it, and walked away broke. What am I?
     Answer: A repairman.
187. Riddle: I “sang” off-key, got “tuned,” and silenced the crowd. What am I?
     Answer: A radio.
188. Riddle: I “buried” my past, “dug” it up, and sold the “plot.” What am I?
     Answer: An author.
189. Riddle: I “flew” without wings, “landed” hard, and stayed grounded. What am I?
     Answer: A joke.
190. Riddle: I “married” my fate, “divorced” it, and stayed “single.” What am I?
     Answer: A card.
191. Riddle: I “whispered” loud, “shouted” soft, and won her “ear.” What am I?
     Answer: A rumor.
192. Riddle: I “sank” my ship, “swam” ashore, and stayed “dry.” What am I?
     Answer: A model.
193. Riddle: I “broke” my word, “kept” it, and spoke again. What am I?
     Answer: A promise.
194. Riddle: I “saw” the future, “cut” it short, and wrote it long. What am I?
     Answer: A planner.
195. Riddle: I “climbed” high, “fell” low, and “rose” again. What am I?
     Answer: A stock.
196. Riddle: I “hid” in sight, “vanished” clear, and “reappeared.” What am I?
     Answer: A trick.
197. Riddle: I “ate” my words, “spat” them out, and “fed” the page. What am I?
     Answer: A poet.
198. Riddle: I “caught” a break, “freed” it, and “broke” again. What am I?
     Answer: A wave.
199. Riddle: I “painted” a scene, “washed” it white, and “drew” a laugh. What am I?
     Answer: A clown.
200. Riddle: I “ran” from love, “caught” it, and “let” it loose. What am I?
     Answer: A leash.
201. Riddle: I “cast” a spell, “broke” it, and “charmed” again. What am I?
     Answer: A flirt.
202. Riddle: I “lit” the dark, “burned” out, and “glowed” anew. What am I?
     Answer: A candle.
203. Riddle: I “drove” her mad, “parked” my heart, and “idled” on. What am I?
     Answer: A lover.

Riddle: I “stole” a glance, “gave” it back, and “kept” her eyes. What am I?
Answer: A mirror.