Giving Away a Borrowed Book
The woman borrowed a book that her friend treasured.
In the end, she returned the book without reading it, but said, “This is a gift for you.” Far from getting angry, her friend was overjoyed.
Why?
Let’s unravel your preconceptions, one by one.
View Hints
3 Levels of Hints
Take it little by little, just as much as you need.
Hint 1
The purpose of borrowing a book isn’t always just to read it.
Hint 2
The book that was returned was the same one, but there was something different about it compared to before she borrowed it.
Hint 3
Her friend liked not only the book but also the person who wrote it.
Check the Answer
The truth behind this mystery
Her friend was a huge fan of the book’s author and had been hoping to get a signature in her own copy.
The woman had the opportunity to meet the author. So, without revealing her true intentions, she borrowed her friend’s book and brought back a signed copy with her friend’s name included.
The gift wasn’t the book itself, but rather the fulfillment of her friend’s wish: to have her cherished book signed.
If you notice this, you’ve got it right
She borrowed her friend’s book to get the author’s autograph, then returned the signed book as a gift.
It isn’t necessary to guess the exact dedication. If the explanation—such as restoring the book, which was what her friend had wanted—makes sense, it can be treated as a valid alternative solution.
Suggested questions and answers for group play
- Did she return the same book she borrowed?
- Yes.
- Did the woman slip money into the book?
- No.
- Is the author involved?
- Yes.
- Did the woman get the author to sign it?
- Yes.
- Did her friend want to get the author to sign her copy?
- Yes.
- Did she sell the book to buy something else?
- No.
- Did she exchange it for a brand-new copy?
- No. It was a book her friend treasured.
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