The Camel Race

An aging sheikh, nearing the end of his life, decides to leave his vast fortune to one of his two sons. To determine the heir, he devises a strange contest with a twist: each son must ride a camel across the desert to a distant finish line, but the son whose camel crosses the finish line last will inherit the fortune.

Confused by the unusual rule, the brothers begin the race but quickly realise that neither wants to cross the finish line first. They both wander the desert for days, each trying to avoid winning. Just as they are about to give up, they come across an old man who asks them what they are doing. After hearing them out, he gives them a suggestion. Suddenly, the brothers leap onto their camels and race toward the finish line at full speed.

What did he tell them?

Solution

The old man told them to switch camels. Now, each brother wants their camel (which is ridden by the other brother) to arrive last, so they race to the finish line.