In a quiet village nestled between two mountains, there lived an old clockmaker known for his intricate timepieces. One day, a mysterious traveler arrived at the village, seeking his expertise. The traveler handed the clockmaker a peculiar object—a small, dusty hourglass containing black sand. The traveler explained that this hourglass had the power to reveal the time of one significant event in the future, but only if the clockmaker could decipher a riddle etched into the glass.
The riddle read:
"I'm not a friend, yet I can be by your side. I'm not your enemy, but I can make you feel anxiety. I can fly without wings, and yet, I am bound by the earth. I can be a thief, stealing moments from your life, yet I am unseen. What am I?"
The clockmaker pondered for several hours, sifting through thoughts and memories, until the faint chime of his grandfather clock reminded him of the connection between time and the answer hidden within the riddle.
What am I?
Answer: Time.