A CHINESE PUZZLE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 659, 4 December 1874, Page 3

A CHINESE PUZZLE.

A Chinaman died, leaving bis property by will to bis three sous, as follows : “To hum Hum, the eldest, one half thereof : to Hu-Pin, his second son, one-third thereof ; and to Ding-Bat, the youngest, one-ninth thereof.” 'When the property was inventoried, it was found to consist of nothing more «ior less than seventeen elephants, and it puzzled these three heirs how to divide the property according to the terms of ho will without chopping up the seventeen elephants, and thereby seriously impairing their value. Finally they applied to a wise neighbor, Sum-Punk for advice. Sum-Punk had an elephant of his own. He drove it nto the yard with the seventeen, and said, ‘Now, we will suppose that your father eft these eighteen elephants. Fum-Hum take your half and depart.” So Finn Hum took nine elephants and went his way. “ Now Nu-Pin,” said the wise man, “ take your third and git.” So Nu Pin took six •elephants and travelled. “ Now, Ding, liat,” said the wise man, “ take your ninth and begone.” So Ding-Bat took two elephants and absquatulated. Then Sum-Punk took his own elephant and drove home again. Query : Was the property divided according to the terms of the will ?