Why is a Raven like a Writing Desk?

Mankind has always been a curious creature. It's thirst to know more has led it down the path less trod upon. On one hand when you have obscure questions such as ‘Do aliens really exist?’, On another hand, you have deeper questions such as ” Does human existence have a point.” Though the deep abysses of the existential quest are limitless and between the vague to the deeply meaningful is another set of questions.

The most bewildering of all puzzles that have plagued humankind for long originated from a great classic. Very fond of solving crosswords and puzzles, men have still been scratching their head over this question that looms large over any other query. This question is not the boring old “is there a God” but “ Why is a Raven like a Writing Desk.”  

The Origin 

Just like the human race and this universe has a story of origin so does this profound question. The first known recording of this famous line was the classic book 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' which was penned by Lewis Carroll. The acclaimed writer of this somewhat creepy children's book tells a story of a girl who managed to fall down a rabbit hole and meets some wacky characters who inhabit the world that is completely topsy turvy and makes absolutely no sense. This might look vaguely closer to the present world society, but the characters created by Lewis showed depth and were highly interesting. Mad hatter who was without a shred of doubt the most interesting character in the fiction novel sits down with Alice for a tea party and pops out this question.  

(Image Courtesy: Print All Over Me)

“Why is a raven like a writing desk” may not sound like a normal way of discourse but then again nor was the story or the characters. The Hatter who asked this famous question himself had no clue to the answer, and neither did little Alice, although she did ask him to make better use of his time than wasting it on meaningless puzzles.  

Why is a Raven like a Writing Desk

Talking about meaningless puzzles, this puzzle that looks like it might have an equally bizarre and interesting result has an insipid answer actually. Lewis Carroll who was bombarded with questions and queries after his books got widely popular had to face the consequences of answering this puzzle that he had created. Tired of the questions that were put up Carroll decided to put a preface on his book from the 1896 edition that gave a detailed explanation of the line. According to Carroll 'Because it can produce a few notes, tho they are very flat; and it is never put with the wrong end in front!'

(GIF Courtesy: Raven)

This answer is surely not going to put you in a laughter fit, and it certainly had no similar effect on those who read the deep explanation given by Caroll. Though this did encourage people to come up with their answer to this riddle and hence a plethora of more strange and lame answers cropped up in their earnest attempt to solve this riddle. One fine example of the answers that sprouted up was "Why is a raven like a writing desk? Because neither is ever approached without caws."

Do you have any such puzzles that are bothering you as well? Share your feedback using the comment box below.

(Featured Image Courtesy: RSPB)