Puzzle 9: A Walk in the Wood

Visual clue. Classic storybook illustrations of Winnie the Pooh featuring Queen Elizabeth II's silhouette profile in the corner.

The hook. Winnie-the-Pooh was created by English author A.A. Milne and artist E.H. Shepard. These stamps celebrate the beloved classic characters in their homeland through the UK's Royal Mail.

Here's the trap we set. Because these stamps show Pooh with Eeyore, with Piglet, with all his friends, or alone, players will be tempted to sort them into the character-pairing categories instead of isolating the British set.

Visual clue. Postage stamps showing Winnie the Pooh together with his donkey companion Eeyore.

The hook. Scenes depicting the heartwarming friendship between A.A. Milne's silly old bear and the gloomy donkey Eeyore in the Hundred Acre Wood.

Here's the trap we set. With twelve Winnie the Pooh stamps on the board, players will try to combine Pooh stamps at random rather than noticing this group specifically pairs him with Eeyore.

Visual clue. Winnie the Pooh pictured alongside a single friend other than Eeyore—specifically Piglet, Rabbit, or Christopher Robin.

The hook. Adventures and quiet moments shared between A.A. Milne's bear and his Hundred Acre Wood companions, including his human friend Christopher Robin.

Here's the trap we set. Because Canada is part of the Commonwealth, players might attempt to group the Canadian stamp with the British issues, or fail to notice that these stamps specifically pair Pooh with friends other than Eeyore.

Visual clue. Winnie the Pooh depicted entirely by himself, with no companion characters present.

The hook. Portraits of A.A. Milne's silly old bear engaged in solitary pastimes like raking leaves, observing bees, or holding a honey jar.

Here's the trap we set. Resolves only after players realize that the eight Pooh stamps must be split into pairs and solo appearances.