Sometimes, the most difficult problems have simple solutions that just require a different perspective. This is a story about three brothers, a strange inheritance, and how a little wisdom can turn the impossible into the possible.
📝 The Riddle of the 17 Camels and the Wise Man's Solution
Long ago, in a quiet village on the edge of a vast desert, an old man lived with his three sons. He owned 17 camels, which were their main source of income as he rented them out for trade caravans. One day, the old man passed away, leaving behind a will for his sons.
After the funeral, the sons gathered to read the will. Their father had divided all his property equally, except for the 17 camels. He had divided them in a strange way that puzzled everyone.
The will stated that:
- The eldest son would own **half** of the camels.
- The middle son would get **one-third** of the camels.
- The youngest son would get **one-ninth** of the camels.
The sons were stunned. How could they divide 17 camels? It's an odd number that cannot be divided by 2, 3, or 9 without harming one of the camels, which was unthinkable! The brothers spent days thinking and arguing, but every attempt led to a dead end.
Finally, they decided to take their problem to a wise man in their village, known for his sharp mind and calm wisdom. The wise man listened to the problem carefully, smiled gently, and said, "The solution is simple. Bring all 17 camels to me."
The sons brought the camels. The wise man looked at them, then pointed to his own camel standing nearby. "I will add my camel to your group," he said. The total number of camels was now **18**.
He then turned to the eldest son. "Now, take your share. Half of 18 is **9 camels**." The eldest son happily took his share.
He then addressed the middle son. "And you, take your share. One-third of 18 is **6 camels**." The middle son gratefully took his.
Finally, he told the youngest, "Your share is one-ninth of 18, which is **2 camels**." The youngest son joyfully took his share.
The wise man looked at the brothers and asked them to count the camels they had taken. The total was: 9 + 6 + 2 = **17 camels**!
One camel was left over... the one the wise man had added at the beginning. The wise man took his camel and went home, leaving the sons amazed at his profound wisdom. He taught them that some problems just need a small, temporary addition to become solvable.
🎯 Enrichment & Learning
Values and Lessons Learned
- Thinking Outside the Box: Brilliant solutions often come from changing your perspective on a problem rather than tackling it head-on.
- The Importance of Wisdom and Counsel: When we can't solve a problem, seeking help from a wise and experienced person can open up new possibilities.
- Every Problem Has a Solution: The story teaches that no problem is truly impossible; the solution might just be unexpected or require a temporary extra step.
- The Mathematical Secret: The father's will wasn't flawed. The fractions (1/2 + 1/3 + 1/9) add up to 17/18. This meant there was always a missing piece, which the 18th camel completed.
Comprehension Questions
- How many camels did the father leave for his sons?
- What were the shares assigned to each son in the will? (Half, one-third, one-ninth).
- Why couldn't the sons divide the camels at first?
- What did the wise man do to make the division possible?
- In the end, did the sons need to take the wise man's camel? Why or why not?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Do you think the father wrote his will as a riddle on purpose? If so, what did he want to teach his sons?
- What is the difference between intelligence and wisdom, as shown in this story?
- How can the idea of "temporarily adding something to solve a problem" be applied in our daily lives?
Practical Application Questions
- Describe a problem you faced at school or home that seemed impossible at first.
- Who is the "wise person" you go to when you need advice?
- If you had 11 cookies and wanted to give "half" to your friend and keep "a quarter" for yourself, how could you use the wise man's wisdom to solve it? (Hint: Add one more to make 12).
🎨 Interactive Content
Fun Activities
- Math Challenge: Try adding the fractions yourself: 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/9. Can you find the common denominator (18)?
- Drawing Game: Draw the scene where the wise man stands before the 18 camels, explaining the solution to the three astonished sons.
- Story Writing: Write a short, similar riddle that you can challenge your friends with.