STORY 68
TAKING A DIFFERENT VIEWTherapeutic Characteristics
Problems Addressed
■ Relationship conflicts
■ Sibling rivalry
■ Seemingly insoluble problems
■ Selfishness and greed
■ Lack of compromise and negotiation
■ Fixed-mindednessResources Developed
■ Broadening perspectives
■ Listening to others
■ Learning from challenges
■ Seeing other possibilities
■ Valuing relationshipsOutcomes Offered
■ Learning from others
■ Knowing that problems can have solutions if we broaden our thinking
■ Working cooperatively in relationships
■ Valuing relationships
One day a cowboy was riding along on his horse when he met three brothers who were argu-
ing. “Why are you fighting?” he asked.
The eldest brother said, “Our father was a rancher. When he died, he left his horses to us three
sons. His will was clear. I am to get half of the horses. My second brother here is to get one-third,
and my youngest brother gets one-ninth. The problem is, our father left us seventeen horses.”
If you know a little about math, you will see the brothers’ task was impossible. Seventeen can-
not be divided into a half, a third, and a ninth.
“We have tried every mathematical approach we can think of,” the eldest explained to the cow-
boy. “We have even thought of killing one or more of the horses and cutting it up to make sure we
get our rightful proportions. However, our father’s will was clear on that, too: The horses were not
to be killed.” The other brothers nodded. A dead horse’s leg or tail wasn’t much use to them. This
was why they argued.
Half of seventeen was eight and a half, so the eldest suggested he take nine. The younger two
objected because it would mean they got less. He should take eight, they suggested, but he didn’t
want to take less, either. The argument raged, tempers flared, and the brothers got really angry at each
other. No one was willing to comprise.
“I see your problem,” said the stranger. “Your father has set you a difficult challenge, however I
think I see a solution.”
DEVELOPING SKILLSDeveloping Life Skills 167