Exploits of Mulla
Nasrudin
From the Exploits of the Incomparable Mulla Nasrudin by Idries Shah:
BACK TO FRONT:
Nasrudin was visited by some students, who asked whether they might
hear his lessons. He agreed, and they set out to the lecture hall, walking
behind the Mulla, who had mounted his donkey with his face to its tail.
People began to stare. They thought that the Mulla must be a fool,
and the students who followed him even greater fools. Who after all,
walks behind a man who rides a donkey back to front.
After a little while the students began to become uneasy, and said
to the Mulla:
"O Mulla! people are looking at us, Why do you ride in this manner?"
Nasrudin frowned. "You are thinking about what people think, than what
we are doing." He said. "I shall explain it to you, If you walk in front,
this would show disrespect to me, because you would have your backs
to me. If I walked behind, the same would be true. If I ride ahead with
my back towards you, this shows disrespect for you. This is the only
way of doing it."
THE USE OF LIGHT:
"I can see in the dark" boasted Nasrudin one day in the teahouse"
"If that's so, who do we sometimes see you carrying a light through
the streets?"
"Only to prevent other people from colliding with me".
THE REASON:
The Mulla went to see a rich man.
"Give me some money"
"Why"
"I want to buy... an elephant"
"If you have not got money you can't afford to keep an elephant"
"I came here" said Nasrudin "to get money, not advice"
FACE:
Nasruddin called at a large house for charity. The servant said,
"My master is out."
"Very well,"said the Mulla; "even though he has not been able to contribute,
please give your master a piece of advice from me. Say: 'Next time you
go out, don't leave your face at the window-someone might steal it."
STRIKE BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE:
Mulla Nasruddin sent a small boy to get water from the well. "Make
sure you don't break the pot!" he shouted, and gave the child a clout
on the head. "Mulla," asked a spectator, "why do you strike someone
who hasn't done anything?" "It would be too late to punish him after
he broke the pot, wouldn't it?"
THE COST OF MARRIAGE:
A student of Mulla asked him:" How much does it cost to get married?"
Mulla:" I don't know, I'm still paying for it"
"Is it true? Mulla, I heard that in ancient China, a man doesn't know
his wife until he marries her," his other student asked.
Mulla:" That happens everywhere, son, EVERYWHERE!"
MADLY QUALIFIED:
Nasruddin was being interviewed for employment in a department store.
The personnel Manger said: "We like ambitious men here. What sort of
a job are you after?" "All right," said Nasruddin, "I'll have your job."
"Are you mad?" "I may be," said the Mulla, "but is that the necessary
qualification?"
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