Sufi Tales – 17 Camels Upon his death, a wealthy caravan trader has bequeathed to his three sons his hard-working camels. The eldest is to receive half of the bequest; the next oldest 1/3; and the youngest, 1/9. The problem is that there are 17 camels in all. The sons are befuddled. They go to the wise professor at the university who tells them that their father must have meant camel meat! If the camels are slaughtered, the meat can be distributed according to their father's wishes. (The meat can be preserved, and it will feed their families and can be bartered for other goods!) But, this is an unsatisfactory solution. The sons'

father was a gentle man who would never have

sanctioned slaughtering his faithful

animals. Besides, camel meat is not that tasty!

The sons consult a soothsayer who tells them that

all the camels should be sold, and the money

distributed according to the father's formula. This

is more satisfactory, but their father had often

expressed his wish that his sons would continue the

family business.

Other wise men and women offer solutions, but all

of them prove untenable. Finally, the sons make

their way to the strange man who keeps to himself,

makes his own way in the world, but somehow

exudes an aura of kindness and wisdom. They sit in

his humble hut, smoke a hookah [okay--that's my

innovation!], eat some hummus on pita bread"

and the man solves their problem.

"I have one dear camel," he tells them. "It is my

sole means of support" and, my friend. " But", I will

give you my camel. "Then you will have 18 camels in

all. The eldest son will take half of them--9

camels. The next son will take 1/3--6 camels. And

the youngest will have 1/9--2 camels. Now" 9 and

6 and 2 are 17 camels. You will have one camel left

over. That is my camel, which you will return to

me."