ix415@sdcc6.UUCP (Rick Frey) (07/11/85)
I've had this riddle for a long time now and I've been debating about
whether or not to post it, but I finally gave in and here it is. It was
given to me by a friend and on the top of the page that it was printed
on was printed a preface that I'll, along with the riddle in a moment.
First let me give a disclaimer and a guideline that would make this much
more fun for all who enjoy riddles. Firstly, if this has been posted to
the net before, than forgive me for all of you who have born through it
before and for those of you for whom this is new, enjoy. Secondly,
please DO NOT post the answer. If you have it and you want to check, go
ahead and write me, but I'll tell you now, when you figure it out,
you'll know you have it right. But please don't flaunt your brilliance
and ruin it for those who subscribe to the net but want to figure it out
for themselves. Thridly, I will NEVER give the answer out. In a few
weeks or so, if there's any response to this, I'll post a hint or two if
they're needed, but other than that, you're on your own. So here it
is.
The following riddle was given to us by Grace Salzman of Bethesda CBS
class. Its origin seems to be shrouded in some mystery, but the
consensus is that a desirable prize was offered by a prominent
businessman to anyone who, taking the Bible as a subject, could compose
a riddle that would stump him. A lady from Californis is said to have
won the prize with the following:
Adam, God made of dust,
But thought it best to make me first;
So I was made before the man
To answer God's most holy plan.
My body God did make complete,
But without arms or legs or feet;
My ways and acts he did control,
But to my body gave no soul.
A living being I became,
And Adam gave to me my name;
I from his presence then withdrew,
And more of Adam never knew.
I did my master's law obey,
Nor from it ever went astray;
Thousands of mile I go in fear
But seldom on the earth appear.
For purpose wise which God did see,
He put a living soul in me,
A soul from me my God did claim,
And took from that soul again.
For when that soul from me had fled,
I was the same as when first made;
And without hands or feet or soul,
I travel on from pole to pole.
I labor hard by day and night,
To fallen man I give great light;
Thousands of people young and old,
Will by my death great light behold.
No right nor wrong can I conceive,
The scripture's I do not believe;
Although my name within is found,
They are to me an empty sound.
No fear of death doth trouble me,
Real happiness I ne're shall see;
To heaven I shall never go,
Or to the grave, or hell below.
Now when these lines you slowly read,
Go search your Bible with all speed;
For that my name's recorded there,
I honestly to you declare!
Who/What am I?
Phew, well good luck and if you want any hints, I'll probably post a few
in a week or two. Other than that, have fun with this, I know I did.
Rick Frey (..ihnp4!sdcsvax!sdcc6!ix415)