The Sphinx inhaled deeply and shook its head once. It looked at Emily and said again, deliberately:

"First think of a person who in kitchen stands,
Preparing your food with their finely skilled hands.,
Next tell me the the word for a time of no strife
Not difficult, no, but 'simple', your life.
Now string them together, and an answer give,
What thing will you give me if you wish to live?"

It glanced down at Emily's bag, then her hands and finally at Emily herself. A small line of drool dripped down the magnificent, fierce creature's lower jaw, making a small puddle on the floor.