<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Commonplace Fun Facts]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[http://commonplacefacts.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[Commonplace Fun Facts]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://commonplacefacts.com/author/mthompson9691/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Can You Solve the World’s Oldest Brain&nbsp;Teaser?]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://commonplacefacts.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/img_0628.jpg" alt="#brainteasers #riddles #Sumerian #languages #translations" /></figure></div>



<p>E.I. Gordon translated ancient <a href="https://commonplacefacts.wordpress.com/2014/10/22/imagine-the-size-of-the-keyboard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sumerian</a> cuneiform tablets that dated back to approximately 2500 B.C. Among that ancient writing was a riddle, which is believed to be the world&#8217;s oldest brain teaser. Can you solve this riddle that has perplexed people for 4,500 years?</p>



<!--more-->



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-large"><p><em>A house based on a foundation like the skies</em></p></blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-large"><p><em>A house one has covered with a veil like a secret box</em></p></blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-large"><p><em>A house set on a base like a goose</em></p></blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-large"><p><em>One enters it blind,</em></p></blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-large"><p><em>Leaves it seeing.</em></p></blockquote>



<p>This is a shortened version:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-large"><p>There is a house. One enters it blind and comes out seeing. What is it?</p></blockquote>



<p>Do you know the answer? Scroll down to see if you are right.</p>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://commonplacefacts.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/images.jpeg" alt="" /></figure></div>



<p>Answer: a school.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator" />



<p>Try your hand at more <a href="https://commonplacefacts.wordpress.com/category/brainteasers-and-puzzles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brain teasers</a>.</p>



<p>Read <a href="https://commonplacefacts.wordpress.com/category/languages-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fun facts about languages</a>.</p>



<p>Read some <a href="https://commonplacefacts.wordpress.com/tag/translations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interesting and embarrassing translation stories</a>.</p>
]]></html><thumbnail_url><![CDATA[https://commonplacefacts.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/img_0628.jpg?fit=440%2C330]]></thumbnail_url><thumbnail_width><![CDATA[237]]></thumbnail_width><thumbnail_height><![CDATA[330]]></thumbnail_height></oembed>