When an idea hits me, I write riddles, brainteasers, tonguetwisters or other puzzles. Puzzles are a bit like jokes: there's a similar shared satisfaction when someone "gets" the punchline or answer, and they can be retold and passed on. For answers, you'll have to email me.
This puzzle is set up by a readers' theatre script, set in the Great War. Two officers have to decide who is going to be first over the top. Normally they would toss a coin, but that won't work as they are only connected by field telephone. Neither trusts the other, so they have to agree on a decision mechanism that is exactly 50/50, does not depend on skill or knowledge, and that is impossible to cheat.
Here's the script: Heads
This is tonguetwister of sorts rather than a puzzle. Also works well as a breathing and enunciation exercise.
Who's cheating who in this poem? In fact, it's probably too obvious now, although it was a bit more subtle when I wrote it 9 years ago. There's still quite a tangled web if you read closely.
This can be read either a column at a time, or works well as a double act with the second reader acting as translator.
