Messages

I'm able to move correctly one screen on the lake using the riddle, which corresponds to the compass directions.  But for the second direction, which i interpret as water, it sends me back.  Does anyone have a suggestion?  Or is this the games way of saying I"m not ready to go yet?

The second direction isn't water.  If I remember correctly (I don't have the riddle in front of me), it's actually fire.  I remember the first two directions being down and then up.