Oedipus and the Sphinx’s Riddle

He was, however, deeply interested in the story of the Sphinx; and he was so sure that he could guess the riddle, that he immediately set out to find the monster. He walked boldly along the road until stopped by the Sphinx, which told him to answer this riddle if he wished to live: “What creature walks upon four feet in the morning, upon two at noon, and upon three at night?”

After a few moments’ deep thought, Oedipus answered that the creature was man. “For,” said he, “in the morning of life, or in babyhood, man creeps on hands and knees; at noon, or in manhood, he walks erect; and at evening, or in old age, he supports his tottering steps with a staff.”

The Sphinx’s riddle was guessed; and the monster, knowing that its power was now at an end, tried to get away. But Oedipus would not allow it to do so; and, drawing his sword, he forced it back until it fell over a precipice, on the sharp stones below, and was dashed to pieces.

From: H. A. Guerber, The Story of the Greeks; edited for this online publication, by ELLOPOS BLOG