A CHINESE PUZZLE.

Evening Star, Issue 3698, 29 December 1874, Page 3

A CHINESE PUZZLE.

A Chinaman died, leaving his property by will to his three sons as follows:—“To Fum-Hum, the eldest, one-half thereof ; to Nu-pin, his second son, one-third thereof; and to DingBat, the youngest, one-ninth thereof,” When the property was inventoried, it was found to consist of nothing more nor less than seventeen elephants, and it puzzled these three heirs how to divide the property according to the terms of the will without chopping up the seventeen elephants, and thereby seriously impairing their value. Finally they applied to a wise neighbor, SumPunk, for advice. Sum-Punk had an elephant of his own. He drove it into the yard with the seventeen, and said, “ Now, we will suppose that your father left these eighteen elephants. Fum-Hum, take your half and depart.” So Fum-Hum took nine elephants, and went his way. “ Now, Nu-Pin,” said the wise man, “ take your third and git.” So Nu-Piu took six elephants and travelled. “ Now, Ding-Bat,” said said the wise man, “ take your ninth and begone.” So Ding-Bat took two elephants and absquatulated. Then Sura-Punk took his own elephant and drove home again. Query : Was the property divided according to the terms of the will 1