Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson for August 10, 2023

I didn’t comment on yesterday’s strip because it was posted later than usual, but it’s worth noting that the cat breed’s name is actually spelled Sphynx, with a Y.

Also, they’re a surprisingly recent breed. They originated in Canada in the 1960s-70s.

While I was going to St. Ives, I met a man with seven wives. Each wife had seven sacks. Each sack had seven cats. Each cat had seven kits. Wives, cats, kits, how many are going to St. Ives?

For bonus points, also figure out how many I met on the way there.

Even I knew that and I’m terrible at riddles.

What do I have in my pocket?

There are 10 crows on a wire. A farmer shoots one dead. How many crows are left?

None. 1 dies the rest flew away.

What is the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space, the beginning of every end, and the end of every place?

If a rooster is sitting on a roof, and lays an egg right at the apex, which side will the egg roll to?

How many roads must a man walk down?

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

(Poe wrote on both)

Okay, if by copycat you mean someone who does just like the one, not necessarily someone who looks just like the one.

Wrong answer, Phoebe. The right answer is “Oh, that’s a tricky one, give me a minute” (pretends to think hard about it for a minute) None, they’re all copycats."

Phoebe outsmarted him!

How many times can you take 7 from 49?

If you are rowing a canoe across a field, and it loses one of its wheels, how many flapjacks does it take to cover a dog house?

Sphinx: “What can ruin—”

Phoebe: “Time.”

Sphinx: “SHUUUUT UUUUP!!!”

What goes on four legs in the morning…

What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything?

How Long is a Chinaman?

A test: Repeat Owah Tagoo Siam five times, going faster each time.

What…is your favorite color?

I have exactly two American coins in my pocket that add up to 35 cents. One is not a dime, what are the two coins?

My favorite riddle, “there is an town where the barber shaves every man in the town and no one else does. Who shaves the barber?”

The conventional answer is wrong because the direction the large family is going isn’t specified. The correct answer is “Not enough information.”

Phoebe stop! Insulting a car is NEVER a good idea!

Some say I’m pointless, yet many are obsessed by me.

I have caused heroic gambles and sown endless frustration.

Uncounted deaths have I caused. What am I?"

Starfire Sphynx: To pass me the by and go your way the answer to my riddle you must say!

Raven: Go for it. I love riddles.

Starfire Sphynx: Ahem! What is running and walks with a mouth, and talks and has a head and also the bed?

Raven: What?

Starfire Sphynx: Did I misspoken the riddle?

Raven: Yeah you definitely misspoken it.

The most obtuse riddle I know (and LOVE) is, “Why do mathematicians confuse Hallowe’en and Christmas?” (search Google for the spoiler)

She’s a little rusty, as there haven’t been that many people at the station lately.