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.
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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!
Restaurant Manager Kicks Out Old Lady Asking for Shelter, Next Day Sees Her Sitting with Owner – Story of the Day

One day, an old lady got drenched in heavy rain after a sudden outpour. She decided to seek shelter at a famous cafe, only to be kicked out by the restaurant manager. What happens next stuns the arrogant employee.
Linda Meyers was on her way to dinner when heavy rain suddenly started pouring. She didn’t have an umbrella with her, so her well-kept hair was suddenly damp and all over her face. Her blouse and jacket looked worn out after they got soaked as well.
The closest establishment to her at the time was a famous cafe that rich and famous people would frequent. As she got to the entrance, she was suddenly stopped by the porter.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Ma’am, this is an exclusive cafe. You need a reservation to enter,” he started, before looking at her from head to toe. “It seems you can hardly afford to dine in here, too,” he muttered.
Offended by the rude remark, she asked the porter to call the restaurant manager. But instead of letting her in, the manager echoed the porter’s sentiments and asked her to leave.
“Ma’am, I’m currently hosting over a hundred people inside. Let’s not waste our time here. I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” the manager, whose nameplate said “Simon,” told Linda.
“I just need a place to stay until the rain dies down. I’ll even order,” she insisted.
“I can’t let you go in looking like that. You’re going to scare away all of our guests,” Simon shook his head. At that, the woman left, trying to find another place to wait.
The next day, when Simon got to work, the cafe owner was already there. He immediately called Simon over. “Today is a very special day. We have an important guest coming, my friend and his wife. They’re potential buyers of this cafe. That said, everything must be in top shape.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Simon oriented the waiters on what to do that day, making sure everything was well-prepared for their VIP guests’ arrival. That evening, the owner called Simon to their table.
“Let me introduce you to our manager. He is an excellent part of our team. He knows his job and is very kind, sensitive, sympathetic, and helpful,” the owner said. At that, the woman turned to him with a smile on her face.
“Very nice indeed. I can see that he is exactly the way you described him to be,” the woman, who turned out to be Linda, said.
The manager couldn’t hide the horrified look on his face after realizing the woman was the person he rudely shut out the night before. After seeing the look on his face, Linda turned back to the cafe owner.
“You have a great restaurant and such endearing staff. My husband and I are happy to buy the cafe,” she said.
The next day, Linda and her husband went straight to work. They wanted to observe how the cafe operated on a daily basis and get to know their new staff members.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
When Linda saw Simon, she bore him some bad news. “Simon, my husband and I have made the decision to demote you as a waiter. We don’t think the way you treated me the other night is any way to treat a customer,” she explained.
Immediately, Simon was given an apron and a tray, and he started working as a waiter. He was humiliated, but he didn’t want to lose his job entirely.
A couple of days later, a poor woman entered the cafe. She sat at a table and ordered a sandwich and hot tea. After she finished her meal, Simon handed her the bill.
“Oh dear,” the old woman said as she looked through her purse. “I must have forgotten my wallet at home. I am so sorry. I can wash the dishes, or clean the restaurant, anything so that I could repay you,” she said.
Simon shook his head. “Don’t worry, ma’am. I will pay for your tab this time around,” he said with a smile.
The woman proceeded to thank Simon, to which he replied: “It’s no problem. People should help each other out. A couple of days ago, the new owner of this restaurant gave me a second chance because she is a kind person. I want to be like her. After all, I believe in karma.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“I think you will become a manager again,” the woman replied. Simon was confused as to how the woman knew about his demotion. At that moment, Linda approached the table.
“This woman here is my friend. I wanted to test you and see whether or not you’ve learned your lesson. I’m happy to know that you’ve passed the test. You can return to your managerial duties effective immediately,” Linda said, giving him a tap on the back.
Simon was delighted. He had never seen such kindness in anybody, and he was grateful that Linda gave him yet another chance to do well at his job.
Since that day, Simon went to work with a smile on his face. He loved his job, and it was all thanks to the boost of confidence the new cafe owners gave him. He would patiently tend to his staff and the customers, and it led the cafe to become even more successful.
What can we learn from this story?
- We should not judge others by their outward appearance. The porter and Simon were quick to judge Linda for how she looked, not knowing she’d end up owning the business they worked in.
- People deserve a second chance. Linda was nice enough to give Simon a second chance, knowing he enjoyed his work.
Share this story with your loved ones. It might inspire them and make their day.
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