POOPLE ANSWERS

DECEMBER 20, 2025 ยท PUZZLE #128

RIFE to POOP.

One shortest route in 6 moves.

00
RIFE
START
01
LIFE
LETTER 1
02
LIFT
LETTER 4
03
LOFT
LETTER 2
04
LOOT
LETTER 3
05
LOOP
LETTER 4
06
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 6 moves

RIFE and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 2 additional moves; the first and fourth letters change more than once.

Start by changing the first letter: RIFE โ†’ LIFE. Near the goal, LOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. RIFE โ†’ LIFE: change letter 1 from R to L.
  2. LIFE โ†’ LIFT: change letter 4 from E to T.
  3. LIFT โ†’ LOFT: change letter 2 from I to O.
  4. LOFT โ†’ LOOT: change letter 3 from F to O.
  5. LOOT โ†’ LOOP: change letter 4 from T to P.
  6. LOOP โ†’ POOP: change letter 1 from L to P.