The eldest son was to get 1/2 the herd.
The middle son was to get 1/3rd of the herd.
The youngest son was to get 1/9th of the herd.
As they sat around the corral, arguing about how they were going to divide up the uneven number of horses, a neighbor rode up and heard what was going on.
He said that their father was his best friend for over 60 years and he didn't want to see the sons have a falling out.
He took the saddle off his horse and put it in the corral with the others, so the herd could be divided up evenly.
The first son took his 9 horses.
The second son took his 6 horses.
The third son took his 2 horses.
9+6+2=17
The neighbor put his saddle back on his horse and rode off without saying another word.
With age comes wisdom.

May you all have a very Merry Christmas.
Len, Carol and Becky