What has many eyes but cannot see?

How to think about it

1. Eyes that do not see are not real eyes, so look for things that are called eyes by name.
2. Needles have an eye, storms have an eye, and potatoes have eyes.
3. The riddle says many eyes. A needle has one and a hurricane has one, so both drop out.
4. A potato can have a dozen small dimples, and each is called an eye.

Why “a potato” is the answer

The small buds on a potato’s skin, from which new sprouts grow, are called eyes. A single potato can have many of them, and none of them can see anything. The riddle works because gardeners and cooks use the word every day without thinking about its original meaning.

Common wrong answers

• A peacock. The spots on a peacock’s tail are called eyes, so this is a clever alternative; the usual answer is a potato.
• A spider. Spiders have many eyes and can see with them, which breaks the riddle.