Chapter 1: A Wealthy Man's Dilemma

In a time long ago, there resided a wealthy man named Abdullah. He had toiled tirelessly throughout his life, amassing great riches and establishing a prosperous business empire. As the years passed, age crept upon him, and his once-boundless energy waned. The weight of his responsibilities had grown too burdensome, and he began to fear for the future of his wealth and businesses.

Abdullah had three sons who had dutifully assisted him in managing the family's enterprises, but despite their dedication and hard work, he still harbored doubts about entrusting them with his vast fortune. The weight of his apprehensions cast a shadow over his golden years.

One day, a dear old friend named Hakim paid Abdullah a visit. "Peace be unto you," Hakim greeted his old friend warmly.

"Peace be unto you too," Abdullah replied, though the lines of worry etched on his face did not go unnoticed by Hakim.

Hakim, a wise and perceptive man, could sense that despite all the wealth and success his friend had accumulated, he was not truly content. "My dear friend," Hakim began, "what troubles you?"

Abdullah sighed deeply and confided in his friend, "I am worried about the prospect of leaving my wealth and businesses to my sons. While they have been of great help to me, I am unsure if they possess the same competence and wisdom that I have acquired over the years."

Hakim listened attentively to his friend's concerns. "Why are you so troubled by this, Abdullah? Do you not trust your own flesh and blood?" he inquired, genuinely surprised by his friend's revelation.

"It's not that," Abdullah replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "It's just that I have worked so hard to build this legacy, and I fear that it may crumble in their hands."

Hakim contemplated Abdullah's words for a moment before suggesting, "Perhaps you should put them to the test. This will help you gauge their abilities and determine who is the most competent among your sons."

"A test?" Abdullah's curiosity was piqued. He had not considered such an option before.

"Yes, a test," Hakim affirmed. "This way, you can assess their capabilities and make a decision based on their performance. It will also provide them with an opportunity to prove themselves."

Abdullah mulled over Hakim's suggestion, his mind swirling with thoughts and possibilities. After much contemplation, he decided to embrace the idea, believing that this test might reveal the true potential of his sons and bring peace to his heart.

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Task

A day had passed since Abdullah's heartfelt conversation with his old friend Hakim, and he had made a pivotal decision. The following morning, he gathered his three sons-Yusuf, Mustafa, and Ibrahim-in the family's spacious living room. The atmosphere was tense, for the patriarch of the family had summoned them with a tone of gravity and importance.

"My dear sons," Abdullah began, his voice carrying the weight of years of wisdom and experience, "I have an important task to give you."

The three sons exchanged puzzled glances. Their father was a man of few words, and they knew that his summons were reserved for matters of utmost significance.

As their father continued, he revealed a bundle wrapped in a cloth. Within the fabric lay three pieces of meat, each weighing a pound. The meat appeared fresh, as if it had been freshly cut only moments before. The sons' confusion deepened, but they listened intently, their patience unwavering.

"Here is a piece of meat for each one of you," Abdullah announced, presenting the three parcels to his sons.

Yusuf, Mustafa, and Ibrahim each reached out and took one of the parcels. Their father's request had sparked their curiosity, and they knew that there was more to this task than met the eye.

With the meat now in their possession, they waited, their eyes fixed on their father, searching for an explanation to this enigmatic task.

"Keep this meat safe," Abdullah instructed, his gaze unwavering. "Bring them back to me exactly one month from today."

The sons exchanged glances once more, their questions and uncertainties lingering in the air like unspoken words. They understood that their father's request was far from ordinary, and a sense of solemnity filled the room.

"Very well, Father," they replied in unison, their voices steady. They dared not question their father further, for they sensed that this task held a deeper significance, one that would unfold in due time.

Abdullah nodded in acknowledgment, his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. He had set a plan in motion-one that would reveal the true nature of his sons' characters and determine who among them possessed the qualities needed to carry on the family legacy.

Chapter 3: Three Paths

As the days passed, Yusuf, Mustafa, and Ibrahim embarked on their journeys, each determined to fulfill their father's enigmatic task.

Yusuf, the eldest of the three, approached the task with a sense of caution and a meticulous plan. He took the piece of meat he had received and carefully buried it in a cool, shaded spot within their family's estate. Believing that maintaining its cool temperature would preserve it, he checked on it diligently every day, ensuring it remained safe from spoilage. His dedication to this task mirrored his dedication to his family's business over the years.

In contrast, Mustafa, the middle child, saw little value in preserving the meat. He believed that it would inevitably rot in the warm and humid climate of their region. Instead, he decided to make use of it immediately and handed it over to his wife, who skillfully prepared a hearty soup for their family.

Ibrahim, the youngest son, embarked on a unique path. He took the meat to the market, recognizing its rarity. There, he encountered a merchant who recognized the meat as coming from a rare black sheep, far more valuable than regular meat. Ibrahim used the proceeds to purchase crops, which he planted on a small farm. Over the course of a month, he nurtured the crops and sold them for a significant profit, enough to acquire the coveted black sheep.

Chapter 4: The Outcome of the Test

A month had passed since Abdullah had entrusted his three sons-Yusuf, Mustafa, and Ibrahim-with a mysterious task. As the appointed day arrived, the old patriarch called his sons together, eager to see how they had fared in executing his enigmatic request.

"My dear sons," Abdullah began, his voice filled with anticipation, "it is time to return the meat I gave to you."

Yusuf, the eldest son, spoke up first, his voice tinged with embarrassment and disappointment. "Father, I did as you instructed. I kept the meat safe and checked on it daily, but despite my efforts, the meat had gone bad. It is no longer fit for consumption."

Abdullah's expression shifted, revealing his disappointment. He had hoped that Yusuf's responsible nature would have ensured the preservation of the meat.

Turning to his second son, Mustafa, he inquired, "What about you, my son?"

"Dear father," Mustafa replied, "I knew that if I kept the meat safe, it would eventually spoil. Instead, I made the practical decision to share it with my family. We prepared a delicious soup and enjoyed it together. But rest assured, I brought you another meat from the market to replace it." Mustafa handed over the fresh meat with a hint of pride in his eyes.

However, Abdullah's disappointment deepened. "That is not the meat I gave you," he said, his voice heavy with resignation. He had expected his second son to prioritize practicality and family, but he had not anticipated the replacement of the meat.

With two sons having failed to meet his expectations, Abdullah's hopes began to wane. He had almost given up when it was time to hear from his youngest son, Ibrahim.

"Father," Ibrahim began, "I brought you the rare sheep from the market, the one from which you gave us the meat." His words hung in the air, causing a stunned silence to fall upon the room.

Abdullah, his heart racing with disbelief, rushed outside to see for himself. Tied to a tree in front of their house stood a magnificent black sheep-the same rare and valuable sheep he had acquired from the black market.

The patriarch's eyes filled with tears of pride and joy as he realized the depth of Ibrahim's resourcefulness and foresight. His youngest son had not only preserved the value of the meat

but had also multiplied it into a living asset. It was a testament to Ibrahim's exceptional wit and entrepreneurial spirit.

Chapter 5: A Son's Resourcefulness

The patriarch, Abdullah, was overcome with joy and pride at the remarkable turn of events. His youngest son, Ibrahim, had not only succeeded in preserving the value of the meat but had also multiplied it into a living asset-a rare black sheep that now stood before them.

However, curiosity gnawed at Abdullah's heart, and he couldn't help but seek answers to the questions that lingered in his mind. Turning to Ibrahim, he inquired, "My dear son, how did you come to know that the meat was from a black sheep, and how did you manage to acquire this magnificent creature?"

Ibrahim, his eyes filled with filial respect, began to explain. "My dearest father, when I received the meat, I realized that I couldn't keep it for an extended period without it spoiling. So, I decided to take it to the market to sell, hoping to make the best of the situation. At the market,

I met a wise merchant who took an interest in the meat. He examined it closely and recognized it as a rare delicacy, a cut from a black sheep."

As Ibrahim spoke, the patriarch's curiosity deepened, and his pride swelled. His son's resourcefulness was evident, and he hung on to every word.

"I negotiated with the merchant and sold him the meat for a fair price, which was more than I had expected. With the money I earned, I invested in crops to start my farm. Over the course of a month, I tended to the crops diligently, and when they were ready for harvest, I sold them at the market."

Ibrahim paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming with determination and excitement. "Father, the profit I made from the farm was substantial, and with that money, I was able to purchase this black sheep."

Abdullah was deeply moved by his son's tale. The combination of resourcefulness, entrepreneurial spirit, and keen judgment displayed by Ibrahim filled him with immense pride. It was a testament to the potential and competence of his youngest son.

With a sense of elation, Abdullah accepted the black sheep from Ibrahim. As he looked upon the rare and valuable creature, he knew that his legacy was secure in the hands of a son whose vision extended beyond the ordinary. The old patriarch danced with joy and gratitude, his heart at peace, for he had found his competent successor, one who would carry forward the family's wealth and businesses with wisdom and ingenuity.