talkmagic.co.uk

Hi there,

Did anyone have the Paul Daniels LP / Tape in the late 70s / early 80s?
I did and thought it was great! - Anyway, at the very end was a lateral thinking puzzle.

Paul told a pantomime-type story about a girl who was going to be tricked into marrying someone she didn't love (boooo!). But fear not! - the listener could help her (hurrah!)

She had a choice - there was a cloth bag with a black pebble and a white pebble in it. She had to dip her hand in, without looking and pull out a pebble. If she got say the white pebble, then she was free to go, but if she got the black, then she would have to marry him. Now the scoundrel she didn't want to marry, when setting up the bag - sneakily put in TWO BLACK PEBBLES! (Boooooo!). What should she do?

That was the puzzle - Paul said "think laterally". I never did work it out. Can someone who solved it post up a clue, or PM me to not give anything away to others?

( I've no idea why I thought about this LP. I lost it years ago, but just had a random thought today about it, and remembered the puzzle!)

Cheers!

Assuming she KNOWS that there were two black pebbles in the bag then I think it is obvious.

(is that clue enough?)

If it's not, I'll give you another clue later!

I think the puzzle's solution was revealed in a TV programme I saw at some point in the 1980s, possibly 'Wizbit'.

I've still got this LP and also the Magic Circle one that came out a little before it.

EDIT: You need to know the full story, as does anyone who doesn't know the puzzle at all! This might be ever-so-slightly different from how it was told on the LP, but it's similar enough.

A young woman lives in a cottage. She is behind on the rent and the landlord is threatening to evict her. The landlord has 'designs' on our heroine (no, he's not a tattooist) and says that she can play a game to wipe out her rent arrears.

The cottage has a pathway made of black pebbles and white pebbles. He will choose one of each and put them in a bag. She must then reach into the bag and pull one out. If she grabs the white pebble, then her debt is cancelled. If she takes the black one, she must marry him, or he'll throw her out on the street. She has little choice but to agree.

They go outside and stand on the path. The villain picks up the pebbles with his back towards our heroine. In spite of this, she still notices that he has actually put two black stones in the bag.

He walks back to her and holds out the bag (twirling his waxed moustache, no doubt).

How does the woman avoid the tricky trap?

Ah...

I was confused because I thought you meant two black pebbles and a white one .

Kati

Ahhh memories!!!

I started my love of magic with this LP. It taught me how to riffle shuffle if I remember correctly. I'm gutted that I haven't got it anymore (or the record player to play it on..... Doh!!!).
I seem to remember that there was also a spelling trick on their as well where you had to spell out the name of Paul's home town to reach the chosen card!! I remember trying to put on a northern accent to make it sound more plausible... Stange these thing you do when you're about 10 years old!!

I know that we don't share secrets but this isn't a trick!!

It is driving me mad, is somebody going to spill the beans or at least give us a clue???

Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

does she secretly palm a white pebble and switch it with a black one she removes from the bag .

Thats what I'd do... if I was behind on my rent and my landlord came along twirling his waxed moustache.....

secretly palm a white pebble

Gets my vote. The Landlord could hardly complain because he'd have to show that there were still 2 black pebbles in the bag thus exposing his duplicity, (good word that - for a Thursday) and the young woman can bask in the glory of beating the odds of 2 to 1 against to pick the white pebble thereby preserving her honour until Prince Charming rides into the plot. Cue for a song, closing credits, and a hot dog on the way home, thank you.

OK, OK, another clue.

Mandrake's said something relevant to the official answer.

There's a much nicer way to do it if you think laterally

No magic involved (hint: if you're a klutz, it's easier!)

Kati

I see where you're going Kati.
For those that are unsure here is a dictionary description of Klutz - a very foolish or stupid person, or a person who moves awkwardly.
Perhaps a person that may not be able to keep a tight hold of the situation.

ahhh got it

But I wont share yet

Is it just me or is this the most obvious lateral thinking puzzle in the world ... I'm pretty sure I've got the solution ... but who do I ask to check it with ... or should I just post it publicly?

Thanks,


Mr.B

Muhaha, only just got this I think...makes sense if we use the "klutz" idea.

Sorry ...

**Mr.Balloonatic is a newbie**

... what is "the klutz idea" ?

Mr.B