The secrets behind these magic illusions are best left to your imagination. But the secrets behind mind illusions are meant to be revealed. So step up to the stage and try your hand at the following Mind Benders. Just by reading these words, you have already been given a clue to Bender #1.

1.	This nine-letter word will remain a word each time you remove one letter from it, all the way down to a single letter. What is the nine-letter word? What are the nine words you form?
2.	The music store is having a sale. You spend $100 and purchase exactly 100 items—no more, no fewer. If mp3 players cost $10 each, CDs cost $3 each, and gift cards cost 50 cents each, and you buy at least one of each item, how many of each item do you buy?
3.	What is at the beginning of eternity, the end of time, the beginning of every end, and the end of every place?
4.	Some months have 31 days. Others have only 30. How many have 28?
5.	An ancient invention, still used in some parts of the world today, allows people to see through walls. What is it?
6.	How many 3-cent stamps are there in a dozen?
7.	How many days will an eight-day clock run without winding?
8.	The day before yesterday, Adam was 29. Next year he will turn 32. How is this possible?

Answers:

For those of you with no patience or who want to confirm your magical mind-bending skills, here are the answers. Hint: They are not in order and one is used twice. The statement was made on January 1st and Adam’s birthday is on December 31st; Glass; Startling; 1, 5, and 94; Letter E; 12; None

Mind Benders are excerpts from the “Things are not always as they appear” series available at any of John Henry’s performances.

If you’d like to share a mind-bender, feel free to send it to us along with the answer, for possible inclusion on our website.