Seventeen Camels

There once was an old man who had seventeen camels. He also had three sons. His time was growing short, So the old man drew up his will. “I leave half my herd to my eldest son, whom I love. I then leave a third of my herd to my second son, Whom I also love. To my youngest son, who was always a scoundrel, I leave one ninth of my herd.” The sons fell to arguing. Their fighting was intense. They could not obey their father’s will. Seventeen camels won’t divide evenly by two, Or by three, or by nine. How could they honor their dear father’s wishes? The three sons went to see a wise old woman in their village. She thought about their problem for a long while. She said, “I don’t know if I can help you, But, if you want, you can have my camel too.” The eldest son took nine camels, Half of the herd of eighteen, And departed. The second son took six camels, One third of the herd, And departed. The youngest son saw that three camels were left. “I am only entitled to one ninth of my father’s herd… Two camels.” The youngest son recognized the wisdom of the old woman. He returned her camel to her, And departed the village in peace.