InspirEmail

InspirEmail No 394 - January 2024 - The solution is in finding common ground - The 18th Camel
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

Finding Common Ground.jpg

The solution is in finding common ground - The 18th Camel

A wealthy merchant from the east passed away and in his will the man stated equal division of his wealth to his three sons but his most treasured camels were divided in rather challenging way.

According to the will the eldest son was to be given half of the camels, the middle son was to be given one third of the camels, and the youngest son was to be given one ninth of the camels. The merchant had seventeen camels and as it was not possible to divide the camels into half, one third or even into one ninth. The three sons started fighting with each other for their fair share of the camels.

Since the sons were not able distribute the camel among them, they went to a wise man for advice. The wise man patiently listened about the sons’ dilemma. After carefully understanding the situation, the wise man brought one of his camels and added it to the seventeen camels of the merchant. That increased the total to eighteen (18) camels.

Now, he started reading the deceased father’s will and divided the camels. Half of eighteen was nine, so, he gave the eldest son nine camels. One third of the eighteen was six, so he gave the middle son six camels. The youngest son got one ninth of the eighteen camels, so he gave him two camels.

After giving the nine, six and two camels to the sons, he successfully distributed seventeen camels. The wise man took back his one camel.

Moral of the story - The attitude of negotiation and problem solving is to find the 18th camel i.e. the common ground. Once we are able to find the common ground, the issue can more than likely be easily resolved. It is difficult at times, however, to reach a solution, the first step is to believe that there is a solution.

Author Unknown

January's Featured Inspirational Story

The Little Nail

As the story goes, they built a new church building and people came from far and wide to see it. They admired its beauty! Up on the roof, a little nail heard the people praising everything about the lovely structure-except the nail! No one even knew he was there, and he became angry and jealous. . . . read more >>>

Inspirational Quote

When you voice your disagreement, begin by talking about what you have in common with the person you are arguing with. Too often we rush to judgment, race to argue and overlook all the common ground we share
Matthew Kelly 

View more Inspirational Personal Growth Quotes >>>

Archived InspirEmail

Top of page

InspirEmail

A monthly positive inspirational story and quote to refresh your spirit and boost the emotional bank account. InspirEmail was first published in November 2005 and each issue can be viewed in the Archived InspirEmail Directory located below the latest issue of InspirEmail


View the latest issue of InspirEmail


Positive Inspirational Images
Positive Inspirational Stories
Positive Inspirational Quotes