Innkeeper and Ten Weary Travelers

( A perplexing riddle )

Ten weary, footsore travelers,

All in a woeful plight,

Sought shelter at a wayside inn

One dark and stormy night.

"Nine rooms, no more," the landlord said,

"Have I to offer you.

To each of eight a single bed,

But the ninth must serve for two."

A din arose. The troubled host

Could only scratch his head,

For of those tired men no two

Would occupy one bed.

The puzzled host was soon at ease--

He was a clever man--

And so to please his guests devised

This most ingenious plan.

In room marked A two men were placed,

The third was lodged in B,

The fourth to C was then assigned,

The fifth retired to D.

In E the sixth he tucked away,

In F the seventh man,

The eighth and ninth in G and H,

And then to A he ran,

Wherein the host, as I have said,

Had laid two travelers by;

Then taking one-- the tenth and last--

He lodged him safe in I.

Nine single rooms-- a room for each--

Were made to serve for ten;

And this it is that puzzles me

And many wiser men.

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Page Modified January 27, 1999