The world-famous brain teasing puzzle is now here! Yes, that's right, it's THE ELEPHANT PUZZLE!

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/
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A little historical background:

This puzzle was first invented in India in the 3rd century AD. It is unknown who the originator was exactly, it is only known that he was a sadistic bastard who delighted in laughing at the inferior minds of others. It is also known that the inventor was a warlock of great power and he cast a great curse on this puzzle, to prevent anyone from revealing its secrets

The puzzle became popular amonst the lower class first, until a noble youth from the upper castes saw a couple paupers trying it. After spending hours with the pauper and still not getting it, he offered a hundred rupies in exchange for the answer. The pauper knew that the puzzle was cursed, but needed the money, so he told him the secret. That youth was found three days later huddled under a bridge and babbling nonsense with a wild look in his eyes... he was completely bonkers.

The noble boy shared the puzzle with his family, delighting in the attention it gave him and in fooling others. After his father got the puzzle it was shared with Raj Pumabuttoks himself, who was known for his love of puzzles. Raj Pumabuttoks soon discovered the answer and found the puzzle absolutely delightful!

The puzzle was remembered for generations in the royal line. In the sixth century, Raj Kanyugidit used the puzzle as a test for potential suitors of his only daughter. In the 8th century, Raj Nyanyanyanyanya found a way to militarize the puzzle (though the exact way it was used is still a mystery).

Also in the 8th century the puzzle spread to a small Buddhist sect which eventually expanded to Japan and mingled with the Zen Buddhists who were already living there. The Zen Buddhists used this puzzle in their meditations as an example of 'seeing beyond what is obvious' and 'openning your perceptions to all that is'.

Meanwhile, in the west, traders from Arabia began coming to India more and more frequently. One such trader discovered the puzzle and brought it to the west. For a little while it began to spread until it was told to Pope Roger IV. Pope Roger didn't get the puzzle and, after three days of trying, he got furious and declared that the puzzle was the work of Satan.

The pope's declaration caused the puzzle to move into the underground, where it was spread in secret. When the enlightenment began, the secret scientific community adopted the puzzle as an unofficial password of sorts; those who knew the answer of the puzzle were assumed to be part of the scientific community and those who didn't were assumed to be a part of the 'ignorant masses'.

Eventually it was brought to the Americas as well - not by Columbus, but by one of the later Spanish settlers. The puzzle then spread north from South America all the way up to the US and then Canada. For a while the Canadians decided to change the puzzle from 'The Elephant Puzzle' to 'The Polar Bear Puzzle eh?' but it didn't stick.

There is an unconfirmed account that Neil Armstrong showed the puzzle to Buzz Aldren on their trip to the moon, saying that if Buzz could get it by the time they arrived then he could take the first steps... but Buzz didn't figure it out until they were already halfway back to earth.

The puzzle remained popular until the 1980's when, for some reason, it went 'out of style' and wasn't shared any more. Only a few people were still familiar with it and its popularity declined rapidly. Modern Historians blame the decline of this puzzle on the rise in Video Game popularity, stating that simple puzzles like this one are being replaced by high tech innovations.

And that brings us up to today. As a huge fan of history and the preservation of our culture heritage, I feel it is my duty to preserve this puzzle and bring it to a medium where it will be able to spread once more. I hope that this puzzle survives for many more years and that its contribution to the world is not yet over.