Can you crack this riddle, found outside the Treasury at Winchester College?
The stone was installed in Outer Court at Winchester College in 2008, gifted by Dr Ralph Townsend, Headmaster, and his wife Cathy. The riddle is by Kevin Crossley-Holland, and the stone was carved by Gary Breeze.
The riddle is as follows. "Cut and chop and stab and pitch. Tap-tap. I'll make a pass I'll chase this stem ascending. Tap-tap. This deep curved stroke. Ah, the gravity of dust and all her hidden meanings. Tap-tap. Tap. Tap-tap. I'll tune this stone until she sings."
Have you worked out what it refers to? It's about the making of the stone itself! The persistent "tap"-ping reflects the sound of the stonemason's chiselling. The mason chisels the "stem ascending" of a letter, and creates lots of "dust" in the process. The stone "sings" with the words the mason has inscribed on it.
You can see the stone on Winchester College Collections' website and visit the Treasury every day from 2 to 4.
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