A bedouin, father of three children, ordered that on his death his only property, seventeen camels, were divided by half to the eldest son, a third for the second son and a ninth to the youngest child.
On the death of his father, the children found themselves faced with a dilemma they could not solve. They tried all ways to reach a solution. But the only conclusion they reached was to cut up some animals.
They were preparing for this grim task when they realized that, lying under the palms of an oasis, there was a Sufi and his camel refreshing because of the heat of the desert. The young bedouins then decided to ask the Sufi advice on what to do.
The teacher listened carefully and said:
"In addition to your camels I will offer mine. So in total, there are eighteen.
The eldest of the three brothers will receive an half: nine camels. The second brother will receive a third: six camels. Finally the youngest one will receive a ninth: two camels, so the left camel is mine. (9+6+2=17!)"
Then he got onto his camel back on his way.
On the death of his father, the children found themselves faced with a dilemma they could not solve. They tried all ways to reach a solution. But the only conclusion they reached was to cut up some animals.
They were preparing for this grim task when they realized that, lying under the palms of an oasis, there was a Sufi and his camel refreshing because of the heat of the desert. The young bedouins then decided to ask the Sufi advice on what to do.
The teacher listened carefully and said:
"In addition to your camels I will offer mine. So in total, there are eighteen.
The eldest of the three brothers will receive an half: nine camels. The second brother will receive a third: six camels. Finally the youngest one will receive a ninth: two camels, so the left camel is mine. (9+6+2=17!)"
Then he got onto his camel back on his way.
