Week 5 Story: Robotic Riddle

Eric took a deep breath and stepped up to the microphone on stage. He was in the finals of the National Riddle Championship, about to be asked his question. “Okay Eric,” said the moderator. “If you can answer this riddle correctly, you will be our new champion.” 

Four scientists, Adam, Becca, Charlie, and Daisy worked to create a highly-intelligent robot. Adam was responsible for collecting the parts required for the robot. Becca was responsible for putting the robot together. Charlie was responsible for programming the robot, such as speech capabilities, mobility, and obedience to the scientists. Daisy was the supervisor of the whole project.

Adam took one week to complete his assignment. Becca and Charlie used two weeks each to complete their assignments, while Daisy worked all five weeks. After hours of hard work, the robot was completed. Before unveiling their project to the media and the world, they held a private test run of the robot in their laboratory. 

They all gathered together in their laboratory. “Are we ready?” asked Daisy. Adam, Becca, and Charlie nodded in eager agreement. Daisy walked behind it and pressed the button that would turn on the robot. The robot’s eyes lit up and he observed his surroundings. “Hello! What is your name?” asked Charlie. “My name is Frank,” said the robot. “How are you tod-ay-ay-ay-ay-ay…” Suddenly, Frank began stuttering. “Ay-ay-ay-ay-ay-attack!” spouted Frank, as he began charging at the scientists and destroying everything. He started ripping at wires, breaking beakers and test tubes, and throwing chairs at the others. The scientists ran around the laboratory, screaming at Frank to stop, but he would not listen. As Frank continued, bolts fell from his body, oil leaking on the floor. He began to walk rigidly, breaking anything in his path. After destroying the entire laboratory, his body fell apart, collapsing into a pile of metal parts. The scientists breathed a sigh of relief, despite their work having been for naught and all of their equipment ruined.

“Who is responsible for the project’s failure?” said the moderator to Eric. Eric looked down at his feet to ponder the question, then up to the ceiling to think some more. He then looked straight at the moderator with a beaming smile.

“Daisy is responsible,” said Eric confidently. “She saw the work the other three did over the weeks. While Adam, Becca, and Charlie did an insufficient job, Daisy should have noticed the issues with the others’ performances and provided feedback or fixed them. However, she failed to do so, resulting in the project’s failure.”

Eric threw open the doors of the building, proudly showing off his first place trophy to those around him. “Good job, Eric!” said Eric’s parents. “We are so proud of you. Let’s go get ice cream to celebrate!” Eric and his parents then loaded up in the car, and drove off to the ice cream parlor to Eric’s victory.

“Yellow and White Trophy” via Unsplash

Source: Twenty-Two Goblins, translated by Arthur W. Ryder

Author’s Notes

I wanted to make the story as realistic as I could. All of the stories in Twenty-Two Goblins revolve around answering various riddles. In the original story, four brothers each learned a different craft, and they came together to create a lion and bring it to life. The lion actually kills the four in the original, but I didn’t want my story to be as gory, so I altered it so that the robot destroys everything. I felt having scientists build a robot gave an opportunity for each person to work on a different aspect that would eventually come together to create one, presumably cohesive, project. I decided to use a “riddle championship” in place of a goblin and utilize a competitor instead of the king.