Famous Trick Donkeys facts for kids

Sam Loyd's Famous Trick Donkeys puzzle. You need to arrange the pieces so the jockeys ride the donkeys.

The Famous Trick Donkeys is a clever puzzle created by Sam Loyd in 1858. It first appeared on cards that helped advertise P.T. Barnum's circus. Back then, it was known as "P.T. Barnum's trick mules." Millions of these puzzle cards were sold, making it a very popular game!

How the Puzzle Works

The puzzle comes on a printed card. This card shows two donkeys. The middle part of the donkeys is empty. There is also a separate piece with two riders, or jockeys.

Your goal is to arrange these three pieces. You need to place the donkey parts and the rider piece together. When you do it right, it will look like the riders are sitting perfectly on the donkeys. It's a fun challenge to figure out how they fit!

Other Versions of the Puzzle

Over the years, many puzzles similar to the Trick Donkeys have appeared. In 1857, a book called The Magician's Own Book featured "The Dead Dog Puzzle." This puzzle showed two dogs lying down. The challenge was to draw two lines to make them look alive instead of sleeping.

Later, in 1939, a popcorn company gave out a puzzle as a prize in their packages. This version had two mules and two cowboys. It worked just like Sam Loyd's original puzzle. Other companies, like the Hotel Wellington in Albany in the 1950s, also gave out tiny cards with this puzzle as a gift.

Today, you can often find this puzzle online. Many websites offer it as a game you can play on your computer. You can also print out a copy to solve with paper and scissors.

Solving the Trick Donkeys Puzzle

Watch how to solve the puzzle!

The secret to solving the Famous Trick Donkeys puzzle is a bit tricky! Look closely at the two donkey pieces. The head of one donkey is actually connected to the back of the other donkey. It's a clever optical illusion!

To solve it, place the two donkey pieces so their backs are facing each other. There will be a small gap in the middle. Now, carefully slide the piece with the jockeys into this gap.

When you do it correctly, you will see a complete picture. One donkey will appear to be running to the left, and the other to the right. One might even look upside down, but the jockeys will be riding them perfectly! It's all about how you line up the pieces.

Images for kids

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  "The Dead Dog Puzzle"

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  "The Dead Dog Puzzle" solution