Riddles challenge us to think creatively, encouraging us to approach problems from unique angles, which strengthens our critical thinking skills.

While many enjoy the fun of solving riddles, others find them frustrating—especially when the answer isn’t immediately clear. This frustration often stems from the unconventional thinking required for some riddles, which can feel perplexing.

One particular riddle that has puzzled many is known as the Woman in a Boat riddle. It’s brief and a bit confusing, offering limited clues, but it goes like this: “There is a woman in a boat, on a lake, wearing a coat. If you want to know her name, it’s in the riddle I just wrote. What’s her name?”

This isn’t a typical riddle needing math skills—it’s more about cracking a hidden message. The trick lies in reading it slowly. Instead of a typical name, try replacing “woman” with something else that fits naturally into the sentence.

If you missed the solution at first, don’t worry—it’s an easy mistake! The riddle’s opening line says, “There’s a woman in a boat,” which seems like background information. But if you replace “woman” with the name “There,” it reads, “There’s a woman in a boat,” revealing the answer in clever wordplay.

The woman’s name is “There.”

Enjoyed this riddle? Share it with friends and family to see if they can solve it too!