OT: Riddles from books older than the internet

[Alice Macher]

I think you are supposed to add that the man said thank you and left.

Interesting. That wasn't in the version I heard. I like it better without that line, anyway. Makes it more challenging to solve, because you first have to figure out that the bartender's motive is to help the guy. And yes, it can be done without that last line. I figured it out, when my sister told it to me in one of those "yes-or-no questions only" games.

[NobodySpecial]

Apologies for using two riddles from the same place.

Whilst I was engaged in sitting,
I spied the dead carrying the living.
What is it I saw?

Mushrooms? An ecosystem built around a fallen and decaying tree?

...zombies?

A boat.

[Captain LeBubbles]

Apologies for using two riddles from the same place.

Whilst I was engaged in sitting,
I spied the dead carrying the living.
What is it I saw?

Mushrooms? An ecosystem built around a fallen and decaying tree?

...zombies?

A boat.

I like my answers better.

[Ameyal]

Apologies for using two riddles from the same place.

Whilst I was engaged in sitting,
I spied the dead carrying the living.
What is it I saw?

Mushrooms? An ecosystem built around a fallen and decaying tree?

...zombies?

A boat.

I like my answers better.

A boat made of zombies.

[Captain LeBubbles]

Apologies for using two riddles from the same place.

Whilst I was engaged in sitting,
I spied the dead carrying the living.
What is it I saw?

Mushrooms? An ecosystem built around a fallen and decaying tree?

...zombies?

A boat.

I like my answers better.

A boat made of zombies.

Okay, you win. *grumblegrumble*

[Trefle]

A boat made of zombies.

..I'm not taking that boat.

I was going to reply that the boy had two daddies.

And with the spirit of the question, I think this answer feels a lot more...up to date?

[Mr. Brightside]

I think you are supposed to add that the man said thank you and left.

Interesting. That wasn't in the version I heard. I like it better without that line, anyway. Makes it more challenging to solve, because you first have to figure out that the bartender's motive is to help the guy. And yes, it can be done without that last line. I figured it out, when my sister told it to me in one of those "yes-or-no questions only" games.

The problem is that nothing in the question suggests that, and in fact, it suggests the opposite. At least the question, traditionally phrased, can pretend that's as good an answer as any; without that detail, it makes far more sense that the bartender recognized him from somewhere, except that the answers aren't usually that simple.

[Bo Lindbergh]

Q: What has eight legs and goes "Woof! Woof!"?
A: Two dogs.

[LadyObvious23]

What does a city and a river have in common?

Both have banks.