Why is this the answer?

The answer is stage because this super clever riddle uses fun secrets and special words about the theater to trick you. A stage is the special platform where performers go to tell a story or put on a show for the audience. All the clues in the riddle perfectly describe the different parts and the magical ideas of the theater. Let's look closely at the first clue: "What has wings, but can not fly." This is a huge hint! In a theater, the areas on the far sides of the main platform, where the actors wait quietly for their turn to walk out, are called the **wings**. They do not have feathers and cannot fly, but they are a very important part of the stage's space. The next line says, "Is enclosed, but can outside also lie." This means that sometimes a stage is inside a large building, like a school auditorium or a beautiful opera house, which is the "enclosed" part. But a stage can also be outside, like a special platform set up in a park for a play or a big outdoor concert space. That is the "outside also lie" part. The clue, "Can open itself up, or close itself away" is a wonderful way to describe the heavy stage **curtains**. They are the ones that either open grandly to start the play or close to end the show or for a short break. They reveal and hide the magical world of the performance. The riddle talks about the stage being the place of "kings and queens and doggerel of every means." This simply means that all kinds of amazing things happen on a stage. You can see serious dramas with kings and queens, funny comedies, musical shows, and more. Every type of story and performance imaginable takes place right there. Finally, the riddle asks, "What is it upon which I stand? Which can lead us to different lands." The stage is the solid floor that the actors stand on. When they perform, the power of their acting and the scenery can make the audience feel like they have traveled far away, maybe to a new planet or a long time ago in history, all without leaving their seat. The stage is a truly magical place that transports everyone to many different lands.