An entitled couple learned a hard lesson when they tried to cheat my dad, a hardworking plumber, out of his payment. Here’s how he turned the tables on them. I’m Phoebe, but you can call me Pippi, just like my dad does. My dad, Pete, is a 55-year-old plumber with a rugged look and hands that show years of hard work.
He treats every job like it’s his own home, and his dedication often gets him taken for granted. A few months ago, I visited my dad at his place, where I found him on the patio, enjoying a cigar and laughing heartily. I asked what was so funny, and he began to tell me about the Carlyles, a couple who wanted an extravagant bathroom remodel.
They picked every detail, from the tiles to the toilet paper holder, and at first, it seemed like a dream job. But on the last day, just as my dad finished the grouting, the Carlyles sat on their couch, ready to pull a fast one. Mrs. Carlyle claimed the tiles were wrong, despite having chosen them herself. To my dad’s shock, they only wanted to pay him half of what they owed.
Frustrated but clever, my dad decided to teach them a lesson. Instead of using water in the grout, he mixed it with sugar and honey, packed up his tools, and left with half the payment. He knew the couple wouldn’t notice anything wrong immediately; the grout looked fine when it dried.
Weeks later, Mrs. Carlyle took a shower and found ants crawling along the grout lines. The next day brought cockroaches, and soon enough, all sorts of bugs showed up. My dad had a friend, Johnny, who lived next door and kept him updated on the couple’s pest problems.
The Carlyles tried everything to get rid of the bugs, spending a fortune on pest control, but nothing worked. They even blamed the pest sprays for ruining the grout, not realizing that the sugar residue was the source of their problems.
My dad told me the couple ended up redoing their entire bathroom a year later, but the sugar was still lurking underneath, keeping the bugs coming back. They were clueless, still planning to remodel again.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for them. My dad explained that their actions insulted his work and pride. He needed to protect his reputation in the plumbing business, and if he let them cheat him, others might try to do the same.
The stories continued. Johnny shared how Mrs. Carlyle had a fancy dinner party and screamed when she found a cockroach in the bathroom. Mr. Carlyle attempted to fix the problem himself, only to create a chemical factory smell without solving anything.
Over a year later, the couple was at their wits’ end and even considered selling their house. My dad chuckled, noting that perhaps his revenge lasted longer than intended, but he felt it was a deserved lesson.
As we sat watching the sunset, I couldn’t help but appreciate the cleverness of my dad’s actions. He taught them a lesson they wouldn’t forget, and I laughed at the thought of the Carlyles’ continued struggles. I promised him that if I ever needed plumbing work done, I would pay him in full upfront. It was a fitting reminder that sometimes, karma comes with unexpected consequences.
Are You Smart Enough to Solve This Brain-Teasing Word Puzzle?
If you love a good brain teaser, you’re in for a challenge! The puzzle in the image above has stumped many people, but if you’re sharp enough, you might just crack the code. The task is simple: find the three-letter word that completes all four words in the puzzle. Think you have what it takes? Let’s put your brain to the test!
Can You Solve the Puzzle?
The challenge is straightforward:
What three-letter word fits into all four of these words to form complete words?
P _ _ _ N T
DE _ _ _ ST
S T _ _ _
C _ _ _ ER
At first glance, it may seem tricky, but don’t rush—sometimes, the most obvious answer is hidden in plain sight. Take a few moments to think about it before reading further.
Common Mistakes People Make
Many people approach this puzzle with a direct guessing strategy, but this often leads them down the wrong path. Here are some common mistakes:
- Focusing on just one word: Some solvers try to find a word that fits only one blank instead of considering all four words together.
- Ignoring word patterns: The structure of each word gives clues about what kind of word could fit, but many people overlook this.
- Overcomplicating the answer: Some people try to come up with unusual or obscure words, when in reality, the answer is often simple and common.
Video : Can You Solve This? 
Only Geniuses Get It Right!
If you’ve made any of these mistakes, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Now, let’s break it down step by step.
Step-by-Step Guide to Solving the Puzzle
- Look for common letter patterns
- The missing word must be the same in all four words. This means the three-letter word should create meaningful words when placed in the blanks.
- Test simple, common words
- Since the missing word must fit naturally, start with common three-letter words instead of overly complicated guesses.
- Check each word individually
- Let’s try filling in the blanks with ARE:
- P A R E N T → PARENT
- DE A R E ST → DEAREST
- S T A R E → STARE
- C A R E ER → CAREER
How Did You Do?
Did you get the right answer, or did you struggle at first? No matter the outcome, these kinds of puzzles are fantastic for sharpening your mind.
Video : 99% Fail This Puzzle – Are You Smart Enough to Solve It?
Challenge Your Friends!
Now that you know the answer, why not test your friends and family? See if they can solve it as quickly as you did!
Drop a comment below with how long it took you to figure it out, and don’t forget to share this puzzle with others. Want more fun challenges like this? Follow us for more brain teasers and logic puzzles to keep your mind sharp!
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