The riddle 'From heaven I fall, though from earth I begin... But heavy dark when you squeeze me together' refers to which phenomenon?

• A. Snow
• B. Rain
• C. Hail
• D. Ice

Answer: (A)

Snow fits this riddle because it combines a sky fall with an earthly origin and a change in density when pressed. Water from Earth’s oceans, lakes, and soils evaporates and, in cold air, forms ice crystals that become snowflakes. These flakes fall from the heavens, yet their beginnings are tied to water that starts on Earth. When you squeeze snow, you compress the air pockets between the crystals, making the mass denser and heavier; if the snow is wet or dirty, it can look dark as it packs together. So the idea of falling from above, starting from earthly water, and becoming heavier when compressed points directly to snow.