The Boys and the Cows

A peasant dies and leaves an inheritance to his three sons, 17 cows. The will stipulates that the oldest son takes a half of the estate, the second-one third and the third the ninth share. The heirs couldn't understand each other. The first asked nine cows the second asked six, but the third wasn't content. They came to the judge.
This one gave them a cow, so that everyone could be contented. Therefore 1+17=18 cows. The first takes 18/2=9 cows. The second takes 18/3=6 cows. The third takes 18/9=2 cows. They took altogether 9+6+2=17 cows. Thus the cow lent by the judge came back to its master. Everyone was contented.
The golden key opens every door!

Catalina Stoica