Riddle: The man who invented it doesn't want it. The man who bought it doesn't need it. The man who needs it doesn't know it. What is it?
Answer: A coffin
How To Solve It
To solve this riddle, you need to:
- Recognize the nature of items that are typically not for the user's direct benefit
- Understand the context in which someone would not be aware of their own needs
- Contemplate scenarios where an item is purchased on behalf of another
This riddle plays on the misconception that every invention is directly beneficial or desired by its creator, and that purchases are always made for the buyer's immediate use or need.
Breaking Down Each Line
"The man who invented it doesn't want it."
- Literal meaning: The creator of the item has no personal desire or use for it.
- Contribution to the riddle: This introduces the intriguing idea that not all inventions are made for personal use, setting the stage for an item with a unique purpose.
"The man who bought it doesn't need it."
- Literal meaning: The purchaser acquires the item without a personal requirement for it.
- Contribution to the riddle: This line deepens the mystery, suggesting that the item is bought for someone else, or for a situation rather than for the buyer's direct benefit.
"The man who needs it doesn't know it."
- Literal meaning: The individual who requires this item is unaware of their need, implying they are in no position to recognize or articulate any needs.
- Contribution to the riddle: This is the pivotal clue that leads to the solution. It hints at a state of being where awareness or consciousness is absent—pointing toward death. This is a key indicator that the item in question is related to death or the rituals surrounding it, with a coffin being the ultimate solution.
