Once upon a time, a desert nomad became the guest of a refined city gentleman. To honor his guest, the host slaughtered a chicken for the feast. When the table was set, all six family members gathered: the host, his wife, their two sons, and their two daughters. The host, thinking to have some fun at the nomad’s expense, decided to challenge him.
Host: “Since you are our esteemed guest, please take the honor of distributing the chicken.”
Nomad: “I have no experience in this, but if you insist, I shall do it.”
With that, the nomad took the chicken and placed it in front of him. He cut off the head and handed it to the host, saying:
Nomad: “You are the head of the household, so the chicken’s head befits you.”
Next, he cut off the back portion of the chicken and handed it to the host’s wife.
Nomad: “This is for the lady of the house.”
Then, he cut off the wings and handed them to the host’s sons.
Nomad: “Sons are like the wings of their father, so these wings are for them.”
The nomad then looked at the daughters and said:
Nomad: “Daughters are the pillars of a family’s honor, holding up the family’s dignity.”
With that, he cut off the chicken’s legs and gave them to the daughters. Finally, he smiled and said:
Nomad: “What remains is for the guest.”
The host was left in an embarrassed silence. Determined to outsmart the nomad, the next day, he instructed his wife to prepare five chickens for the meal. When the table was set, the host addressed the nomad again.
Host: “Today, we have five chickens. Please distribute them among us.”
Nomad: “Should I divide them evenly or unevenly?”
Host: “Unevenly.”
The nomad nodded, picked up the first chicken, and placed it in front of the host and his wife.
Nomad: “You two, and one chicken, make three.”
He then picked up the second chicken and gave it to the two sons.
Nomad: “Your two sons and one chicken, make three.”
Next, he handed the third chicken to the two daughters.
Nomad: “Your two daughters and one chicken, make three.”
With two chickens remaining, the nomad placed them in front of himself and said:
Nomad: “These two chickens and I, make three.”
The host was dumbfounded by the nomad’s clever division. Not willing to admit defeat, he decided to try again the next day. He had his wife prepare another five chickens, and once more, he asked the nomad to divide them.
Host: “Today, divide them evenly.”
Nomad: “It seems you were not pleased with my last division.”
Host: “No, it’s not that. Please, go ahead.”
The nomad placed the platter of chickens in front of him, picked up the first chicken, and said:
Nomad: “The mother, her two daughters, and one chicken. That makes four.”
He handed the first chicken to the mother and daughters. Then, he picked up the second chicken.
Nomad: “You, your two sons, and one chicken. That makes four.”
He handed the second chicken to the father and sons. Finally, he pulled the remaining three chickens towards himself and said:
Nomad: “These three chickens and I, make four.”
He smiled at the host and his family, who were left speechless, then looked up at the sky and said:
Nomad: “Oh God, I thank You for blessing me with the gift of wisdom and the ability to divide so fairly.”
The host and his family were left humbled by the nomad’s cleverness and wit, realizing that true wisdom and fairness come not from status or wealth but from humility and a sharp mind.
