India, Oct. 20 -- A very happy Diwali to readers of Problematics, the fourth time we are celebrating the festival together since this column launched in its present form in Hindustan Times in 2022. We know from the previous three festivals that you will still take time out during your celebrations to solve my puzzles, so here are this week's couple, carrying on a tradition that's been unbroken for 165 weeks now.

#Puzzle 165.1

The pet store near my home is shut for Diwali and I realise too late that I have almost run out of TriPet Kibbles for my pets, which include one or more dogs, a few cats, and a number of mice. I call up the store owner, who tells me he is out with his family but can only send me some kibbles in the evening, making ...