POOPLE ANSWERS

APRIL 30, 2026 ยท PUZZLE #259

LAMB to POOP.

One shortest route in 5 moves.

00
LAMB
START
01
LAMP
LETTER 4
02
CAMP
LETTER 1
03
COMP
LETTER 2
04
COOP
LETTER 3
05
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 5 moves

LAMB and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 1 additional move; the first letter changes more than once.

Start by changing the fourth letter: LAMB โ†’ LAMP. Near the goal, COOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. LAMB โ†’ LAMP: change letter 4 from B to P.
  2. LAMP โ†’ CAMP: change letter 1 from L to C.
  3. CAMP โ†’ COMP: change letter 2 from A to O.
  4. COMP โ†’ COOP: change letter 3 from M to O.
  5. COOP โ†’ POOP: change letter 1 from C to P.