Nick Owen - Professional Development - Leadership Development Framework

An NLP question might be: How is wisdom [or NLP] like the 18th camel?

Gifted

A wise man was travelling by camel through the desert. His journey had been long, the day hot, and the wind searing. He arrived at a small village. He knocked at the door of a hut and asked for a cup of water. A young man brought him a goblet, filled to the brim with pure clean

water, chilled in a clay pot.

The traveller brought it to his lips, paused for a moment to thank his God for the three great gifts of life, water, and generosity, and drained the water in one long draught.

“I thank you,” he said to the young man, “And for your hospitality, is there something I can offer you in return before I continue with my journey?”

“Yes, there is one thing,” replied the young man. “There is discord in our family. Our father died some days ago, may God rest his soul, and in his will left his small herd of camels to me and my two older brothers.”

“How can I be of help?”

“There are seventeen camels in the herd. My father’s will says that half the herd must go to first brother, a third to second brother, and one ninth to me. But how can we divide a herd of seventeen camels? It doesn’t go. And we don’t want to kill any camels for they are worth more alive.”

The traveller laughed, “The mathematics are confusing you. That is one

problem. But let us see what can be done with a little ingenuity. Where are your family?”

The young man took the traveller through the house to a courtyard where the two other sons and the man’s widow were talking heatedly. The youngest brother interrupted them and introduced the traveller.

“My friends, I believe you can sort this situation out for yourselves. Your brother has given me the gift of water. In return I give you my camel as a gift. Now you have eighteen camels. Does that help?”

“Let’s see,” says the young man, “one half goes to first brother, that’s nine camels. One third, to second brother, that’s six. And one ninth goes to me. That’s two …

“But … but … that only comes to seventeen altogether!”

“And by happy chance, the remaining camel happens to be the one I just gave to you. And if you would be kind enough to return it to me, I shall continue my journey.” And that’s exactly what happened.

Excerpt taken from:

More Magic of Metaphor: Stories for Leaders, Influencers, and Motivators by Nick Owen, published by Crown House Publishing

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