meaning of riddles

Riddles have a distinguished literary ancestry, although the contemporary sort of conundrum that passes under the name of "riddle" may not make this obvious.Riddles are questions, often containing a descriptive element or metaphor, of which the listener has to guess the answer. The solution of the riddle is usually unexpected. Some riddles take the form of direct questions, but the answer may not be so straightforward, as it may be based on word play, special knowledge, or double meaning. Riddles aim to demonstrate the wisdom or wit of the riddler and to challenge the listener.