Friday, July 26, 2013

The 18th Camel!

There was a father who left 17 camels as the inheritance for his three sons. When the father passed away, his sons opened up the will. The Will of the father stated that the eldest son should get half of 17 camels while the middle son should be given 1/3rd (one-third). The youngest son should be given 1/9th (one-ninth) of the 17 camels.

As it is not possible to divide 17 into half or 17 by 3 or 17 by 9, the three sons started to fight with each other.
So, the three sons decided to go to a wise man. The wise man listened patiently about the Will.

The wise man, after giving this thought, brought one camel of his own and added the same to 17. That increased the total to 18 camels.  Now, he started reading the deceased father’s will.

Half of 18 = 9. So he gave the eldest son 9 camels - and satisfied he walked away
1/3rd of 18 = 6. So he gave the middle son 6 camels - and satisfied he walked away
1/9th of 18 = 2. So he gave the youngest son 2 camels - and satisfied he walked away

Wise man was left there with his own camel, and he walked away shaking his head! 


(There is a solution to every problem/situation).



5 comments:

Unknown said...

where there is a will there is a way...:)

mystic said...

Though arrogant can still argue: "why wise man took his camel back?" (and can start fighting on one camel)...lol

Unknown said...

was that a right distribution? cuz is tarha to teno ko aik camel k braber kam share mila na? is it so or i am taking it wrong?

Anonymous said...

I think anything can be expected of brothers who can't find an amicable way of dividing among themselves a live animal!!!
Ayesha

mystic-soul said...

Amna - that was the closest possible resolution among fighting idiots!