While you’re concentrating on the story, you may completely overlook the unusual way the first few words can be combined.
The answer is hiding in plain sight.
Try Reading It Out Loud
This is one of those puzzles that becomes much easier when you stop reading it normally.
Say:
“There’s a…”
Now say it quickly.
“Theresa…”
That’s when the trick becomes obvious.
The words “there’s a” can sound remarkably similar to the name Theresa when spoken together.
The riddle isn’t really asking you to identify the woman from information about her.
It’s asking whether you can hear the hidden name inside the sentence.
Don’t Overthink The Details
That’s another important lesson with riddles.
Sometimes the more you think, the further away you get from the answer.
You might start asking:
Where is the boat?
What kind of coat is she wearing?
What lake is she on?
How old is the woman?
