What if a simple riddle about apples could reveal your level of creative intelligence? Sounds too easy to be true, right? But this puzzle has gone viral, leaving thousands of people—especially adults—completely stumped.

Here’s the riddle:
A father has 12 apples in a basket. He wants to give one apple to each of his 12 children. However, he insists that one apple must still remain in the basket after all 12 children have received an apple.

At first glance, it sounds like a mistake or a trick. But the solution is actually a clever twist that requires thinking outside the box. Can you solve it?

Why This Puzzle Stumps So Many Adults

The moment most people hear this riddle, they immediately assume they have to remove all the apples from the basket to distribute them. That’s where the trick lies. Adults, in particular, are often too focused on following the logic of arithmetic instead of exploring the phrasing.

It turns out that the puzzle isn’t about math at all. It’s about perspective.

The Simple but Brilliant Solution

Video: I have three apples. If you take away two from me, how many do you have? || Viral Riddle In Internet

Ready for the answer?

You give 11 apples by hand to 11 of the children. Then, you give the 12th child the basket with the last apple still inside.

Now, all 12 children have one apple, and there’s still one apple in the basket—because the basket and its contents went to the last child together.

Mind blown? That’s the power of lateral thinking.

Why Children Solve It Faster Than Adults

Children tend to look at things more simply and literally. When they hear “there must still be one apple in the basket,” they consider the possibility that someone could just take the basket with the apple inside. Adults, on the other hand, tend to overthink and complicate the scenario, looking for equations or hidden meanings.

It’s not a matter of who’s smarter—it’s about mental flexibility.

What Makes This Riddle So Effective?

This kind of riddle teaches a valuable lesson. It’s not about how much you know—it’s about how creatively you can apply your knowledge. In school and in life, we’re often taught to seek complicated answers, but some of the best solutions come from keeping it simple.

That’s why this puzzle is now used in classrooms and team-building exercises: it encourages people to rethink their assumptions and unlock their creative problem-solving skills.

Other Viral Riddles That Challenge Your Thinking

Video: 16 Clever Riddles to Wake Up Your Sleepy Brain

This apple puzzle isn’t alone. There are tons of viral brain teasers making waves online. Take this one, for example:

“There are 70 chickens and 20 ducks on a boat. How old is the captain?”
Sounds like a math problem, right? But actually, it’s a trick question. There’s no way to figure it out—because the information provided is totally irrelevant. It’s designed to teach people not to jump to conclusions just because numbers are involved.

Real-Life Stories That Feel Like Riddles

Alongside these puzzles, some real-life moments have gone viral for stirring deep emotions:

• A young schoolgirl bows her head in a moment of respect and humility, and the photo captures the internet’s heart. It’s a quiet reminder that dignity can be powerful.
• A boy stands quietly in a clinic holding a bag. At first glance, there’s nothing unusual. But when people realize what he’s carrying—a homemade lunch for his younger sibling—it hits differently. Moments like these make people reflect.

What This All Teaches Us About Thinking Differently

The apple riddle—and others like it—aren’t just meant to entertain. They help us train our minds to question assumptions, look deeper, and explore unusual solutions. Whether you’re solving a puzzle, facing a real-life challenge, or just thinking through a decision, the lesson is clear: don’t always follow the obvious path.

Sometimes, the answer is sitting right there—in the basket.

Conclusion

This viral apple puzzle is a perfect example of how a simple question can reveal a lot about how we think. It reminds us to slow down, challenge our automatic thoughts, and consider creative alternatives. It’s not just about being clever—it’s about being open-minded.

So, the next time you hear a riddle like this, don’t rush to the most logical answer. Think like a child. Look for the twist. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll find the apple still sitting in the basket.