Revealing Riddles

February 26th, 2008 · 9 Comments

The car skidded off the road, and the two occupants, a man and his son, were badly injured. In the ambulance, on the way to the hospital, the father died. The son was taken straight to emergency surgery. The surgeon on call took one look at the patient and gasped, “Oh no . . .it’s my son.”

I heard this riddle a few years ago and have to admit that it stumped me at first. I can’t remember now if I came to the conclusion on my own or if someone eventually told me the answer. But once I knew, it bugged the hell out of me.

Like so many riddles, the answer should have been immediately obvious. In this case, however, it was tougher to laugh it off as mere ignorance. My lack of cerebral fitness has been well documented and so I have no trouble admitting that I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed.

This one’s different though. It’s difficult to acknowledge (to myself anyway) why I really had trouble solving this riddle.

9 responses so far ↓

1 Mrs. Chili // Feb 26, 2008 at 7:03 am

You can’t blame yourself for the first impressions you get. We are a product of our upbringing and, while many of us struggle every day to overcome that upbringing, it’s a never ending battle. Cut yourself some slack, recognize where the deficiencies are, and work to get around them as best you can. You’re a better person than most for even CONSIDERING these questions…

Hey Mrs. Chili,

I ran into this riddle again researching the biological brain differences (and learning styles) of boys and girls for my Masters. I liked the riddle because it identified a “blind spot.” Though I didn’t particularly enjoy learning I had it, it was still good to know.

Chris
2 Beda // Feb 26, 2008 at 3:55 pm

I second Mrs. Chili. I’m sure we all thought a second. It wouldn’t be a riddle if the answer came quickly.

With a son in ER years ago I had enough to think about besides this, but reality seemed totally bent. All I could do was exclaim about his having a nurse with chest hair and a doctor with boobs.

Thanks Beda.

It’s nice to hear I’m not the only one.

Chris
3 ononymous // Feb 27, 2008 at 8:05 am

So what is the answer to the riddle?
4 ononymous // Feb 27, 2008 at 8:13 am

Is the surgeon the mother?
5 B // Feb 29, 2008 at 9:39 am

Yes you moron… The surgeon is the kid’s mother…
6 Mark // Mar 14, 2008 at 8:26 am

Chris,
I have always enjoyed this riddle. It is very revealing and a good tool to create awareness.
Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Mark,

Riddles are a great way of exposing blind spots that we’d otherwise never realize that we have.

Chris
7 ononymous // Mar 17, 2008 at 4:21 am

“B” is name calling really necassary?
8 B // Mar 17, 2008 at 8:03 am

On occasion, yes it is…
9 Sam S. // Apr 5, 2008 at 8:01 pm

Wouldn’t it be the mother? Or the father turned into a zombie? Hmm.

Chris Wondra . com

School teacher, dad, homeowner turns superhero but has to learn his powers along the way