This classic riddle asks: What gets bigger the more you feed it, but dies if you give it water?
The answer is: fire.
Fire grows when you “feed” it with fuel such as wood, paper, or another combustible material. The more fuel it has, the larger and stronger it can become.
But water has the opposite effect. Pouring enough water on a fire cools the burning material and can stop the combustion process, causing the flames to go out.
The riddle works because the word “feed” makes you think of a living thing. Fire is not alive, but it behaves in a way that makes the comparison feel natural.
That simple bit of wordplay is why this riddle has stayed popular for generations.
