At first, you might think of creatures or supernatural beings, but the clue lies in matching all three lines. It isn’t an animal, nor a ghost—it’s something that drifts across the sky, sheds water, and blocks sunlight. Can you piece together the clues and name this everyday marvel? Keep reading for a step-by-step reveal of the clever solution!

Can You Solve This Riddle? “I Can Fly but I Have No Wings…”

Here’s a classic brain-teaser that’s simple in wording but clever in meaning. Read carefully:

• I can fly but I have no wings.
• I can cry but I have no eyes.
• Wherever I go, darkness follows me.
• What am I?

Take a moment to think—what natural phenomenon fits all three lines?

Video

Mind feeling foggy? Give these light riddles a try to clear your head!

Common Mistakes

Many solvers leap to answers like “bat” or “ghost” because they associate flying and tears. Others guess “heart” or “clouds” without testing all clues. The trap is focusing on just one or two lines instead of matching all three. A truly correct solution must:

• Move through the sky (fly without wings)
• Shed water (cry without eyes)
• Cast a shadow or block light (bring darkness)

Step-by-Step Explanation

Fly without wings

• What travels high in the sky yet has no feathers, engines, or wings? Clouds drift on air currents.

Cry without eyes

• When clouds “cry,” they release rain—droplets of water—yet obviously have no eyes.

Darkness follows

• A heavy rain cloud blocks sunlight, casting a shadow. Wherever a thick cloud goes, it brings shade or gloom beneath it.

Because a cloud perfectly satisfies flying, crying, and creating darkness, it is the only answer that fits every part of the riddle.

Share Your Thoughts

Did you guess cloud right away, or did you get sidetracked by other ideas? Let us know in the comments! And if you enjoyed this riddle, try more puzzles on our site to keep your mind sharp and your creativity flying—no wings required.