POOPLE ANSWERS

JUNE 15, 2026 ยท PUZZLE #305

CALM to POOP.

One shortest route in 5 moves.

00
CALM
START
01
CALL
LETTER 4
02
PALL
LETTER 1
03
POLL
LETTER 2
04
POOL
LETTER 3
05
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 5 moves

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

Start by changing the fourth letter: CALM โ†’ CALL. Near the goal, POOL is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its fourth letter.

Every letter change

  1. CALM โ†’ CALL: change letter 4 from M to L.
  2. CALL โ†’ PALL: change letter 1 from C to P.
  3. PALL โ†’ POLL: change letter 2 from A to O.
  4. POLL โ†’ POOL: change letter 3 from L to O.
  5. POOL โ†’ POOP: change letter 4 from L to P.