The Eighteenth Camel !!

Who is the traveler? Where is the eighteenth camel?

A farmer died leaving 17 camels to his 3 sons. But he kept a condition that the first son should get one-third of the total camel, the second son should get the half of remaining camels and the third should get the balance 5 camels. Entire village was confused and did not know how to do it without killing it. No one could see a solution to this deadlock.

Just then a traveler came by riding his own camel. He listened to the whole situation and pondered on it for a while. Finally, he had an idea and everyone was happy with it. He added his own camel- the eighteenth camel; to the seventeen camels of the farmer and the solution was there. First son took 6 camels (one third of eighteen), second son took 6 camels (half of remaining) and out of the remaining six camels the third son took five camels and the traveler walked away with his camel. The solution has not got much to do with mathematics. There is something else that it speaks about. It speaks of the willingness and the magnanimity of the traveler to give his own camel to solve the problem. It tells us about the foresightedness of the man.

We all are in similar situation. The situation of this nation is puzzling and it requires some quality contribution. In absence of able and effective leadership around us we have to take up the role of 'the traveler' and have to make the contribution of the "eighteenth camel". Are we ready for it?

-Jai Hind