CONTINUING EDUCATION

Door 17

By Kiddo

In Loving Memory of Jonathan Brandis

Disclaimer:

I don't have any rights to the TV show "seaQuest DSV," and I am not making any money by writing this.

A special "Thank You" goes to my wonderful beta-reader Jackie and Lynnp and KatKnits00 for their Reviews.

Some time later, the seaQuest crew was sitting around the table in their living room.

On the table were a few sheets of white paper and a pencil. On the sheets were riddles that the team had to solve that morning.

Hitchcock picked up one of the sheets. "Okay, here is the first riddle:

All dwelling in one house are strange brothers three,

As unlike as any three brothers could be,

Yet try as you may tell brother from brother,

You'll find that the trio resemble each other.

The first isn't there, though he'll come beyond doubt.

The second's departed, so he's not about.

The third and the smallest is right on the spot,

And manage without him the others could not.

Yet the third factor with which to be reckoned

Because the first brother turns into the second.

You can not stand back and observe number three,

For one of the others is all you see.

So tell me, my child, are the three of them one?

Or are there but two? Or could there be none?

Just name them, and you will at once realize

That each rules a kingdom of infinite size.

They rule it together and are it as well.

In that, they're alike, so where do they dwell?

There are three parts to the riddle. The first one is 'Who are these three brothers,' the next is 'How are the brothers the same,' and the last one is 'What kingdom do the rule?'"

For a moment, it was silent as everybody tried to come up with a solution.

Benjamin Krieg was the first who gave up. He casually leaned back on the sofa. "This is clearly over my head."

The others looked at the riddle thoughtfully. Crocker stroked his beard. "Clearly the words are symbolic somehow." The others nodded.

The next few minutes were spent randomly guessing.

The teenager observed everyone with interest. Finally, the blond boy decided to say something. "Future, past, and present."

Ortiz looked at him in confusion. "Huh?"

"That's the answer to the first question. The three brothers are the future, past, and present." The curious look on Ben's face told him that he needed to elaborate. "'The first isn't there, though he'll come beyond doubt.' That line symbolizes the future. 'The second's departed, so he's not about.' That line means the past. And the last line, 'The third and the smallest is right on the spot, and manage without him the others could not,' stands for the present. Everything clear?"

O'Neill nodded. "So all three together are time, and that answers the second question."

"And what about the third question? What kingdom do they rule?" asked Ben.

"The world!" was Lucas's simple response.

Bridger scrutinized the boy. "You already knew that riddle, didn't you?"

The computer genius nodded. "Yeah, years ago I read it in a book. It was "Momo," by Michael Ende."

"Why didn't you tell us that you knew it before?" asked Ford.

"Because I didn't want to spoil the fun of you finding the solution for yourself," explained Lucas.

Dr. Westphalen took the next sheet of paper, on which were written a few short riddles. "Okay, here's the next one: 'Where do they mow the most hay?'" She looked questioningly at the others.

"What country has the biggest focus on agriculture?" asked the commander.

Chief Crocker grinned. "It's a trick question. You can't mow hay, you mow grass."

Ford rolled his eyes and groaned. "Yeah, sure!"

The doctor took the pencil and wrote the answer down.

The next hour was spent solving riddles.

Written November 2004 – Translated November 2005