Riddles like “You measure my life in hours…” work because they take something very ordinary and describe it suddenly.
They twist familiar details just enough that the brain briefly treats them like clues to a mystery instead of everyday facts. This particular riddle is short, rhythmic, and surprisingly visual, so once the answer clicks, it tends to stick forever.
The Riddle
“You measure my life in hours,
and I serve you by expiring.
I’m quick when I’m thin
and slow when I’m fat.
The wind is my enemy.
What am I?”
The Answer
The answer to the riddle “You measure my life in hours…” is a candle.
Answer Explanation
The riddle describes a candle in several layered ways:
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“You measure my life in hours” – A candle’s “life” is how long it burns, usually counted in burn‑time hours.
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“I serve you by expiring” – A candle is useful only while it is burning down and using itself up to give light.
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“I’m quick when I’m thin and slow when I’m fat” – A thin candle burns down quickly, while a thick candle takes much longer to melt and disappear.
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“The wind is my enemy” – A gust of wind can blow out a candle instantly, ending its life and usefulness.
What makes this riddle satisfying is that every line fits once “candle” comes to mind, yet nothing is so obvious that it answers away too early. It turns a simple household object into something almost poetic: a small, quiet life measured in hours, burning itself out so others can see.
