Story Telling

A Pot That Had a Baby
One day Nasreddin wanted to have a party. He borrowed a big pot from his neighbour. One week later, he
returned it back. He put a small pot inside it. His neighbour asked, "Whose pot is it?"
"That's yours. The big pot was pregnant when I borrowed it. And it was delivered of a baby pot safely at our
house," Nasreddin answered.
The neighbour said, "It's very strange. But, that's all right." The man received the pots gladly but he did not
thank him.
Several weeks later, Nasreddin borrowed the big pot again. His neighbour lent it to Nasreddin willingly.
Several weeks had passed by. Nasreddin had not returned the pot back. His neighbour was afraid if
Nasreddin did not return it. When he met Nasreddin and asked about the pot, Nasreddin cried soon.
"I'm very sorry, Brother. I think you must let it go. The pot died when it was with us. Actually, I wanted to
inform you about it soon, but I was so sad. Now let's pray for it," said Nasreddin sadly.
Hearing the answer, the man got angry. He said, "Don't be foolish, Nasreddin. A pot cannot die!"
Nasreddin answered, "I am very sad to see you angry. If you believe that a pot can have a baby, why don't
you believe that a pot can die also?"
How a Donkey Reads
Once day, Nasreddin was talking with his friend Timur. He was very proud of his donkey, and he spent a lot of
time telling Timur how great he was.
‘I think he is the smartest donkey on the planet,’ he said. ‘I could even teach him how to read.’
Timur smiled. He was also a wise man, and he liked having competitions with his friend. ‘In that case, do it. I’ll
give you three months. If you can teach him to read within that time, I’ll give you a basketful of gold.’
So Nasreddin went home to teach his donkey how to read. He put a big book on the table in front of him, and
put donkey food in the middle of the pages. The donkey ate the food, and then used his tongue to turn the
page and find more food. Three days before the end of the three months, Nasreddin stopped giving him
food.
When he took the donkey to Timur, the animal was very hungry. Nasreddin asked for a big book, and put it in
front of the donkey. The animal immediately started turning the pages with his tongue, trying to find food,
but he couldn’t, so he started braying loudly.
‘He’s reading aloud,’ said Nasreddin wisely.
Timur watched the donkey for a long time, and then said, ‘That is a very strange way of reading!’
Nasreddin snorted. ‘You only said that he had to learn how to read. This is how a donkey reads. What, did
you think he would read like a human?’
Timur laughed. ‘Well then, I suppose I should give you your gold.’
And he gave Nasreddin the smallest basket in the world, with a single gold coin in it.
The battle of wits
In old times wise men would travel around the country, extensively searching for facts or ideas to support
their newly-formed theories. Three such men one day arrived in Aksehir, and calling on the governor, asked
him to summon the most learned man of the district to be present at the market place the next day – so that
they would see whether they could profit from his wisdom. As the most wise man of Aksehir, Nasreddin
Hodja was duly informed and the next day he was there and ready for, what proved to be, a battle of wits.
Quite a crowd had gathered for the occasion.
Before holding discussions with him, they wanted to test his wit. One of the wise men stepped forward and
asked the following question to Hodja:
“Could you tell us the exact location of the centre of the world?”
“Yes, I can,” replied the Hoca. “It is just under the left hind leg of my donkey.”
“Well, maybe! But do you have any proof?”
“If you doubt my word, you are welcome to measure and see.”
There was nothing more to be said, so the first wise man withdrew.
“Let me ask you this,” said the second learned man, stepping forward.
“Can you tell us how many stars there are in the heavens?”
“As many as the hairs on my donkey’s back,” was the ready reply.
“What proof have you in support of this statement?”
“If you doubt my word, you are welcome to count them all and find out.”
“Come now, Hodja!” said the second learned man. “How can anyone count the hairs on your donkey’s back?”
“Well, when it comes to that, how can anyone count the stars in the skies?”
This silenced the second wise man, upon whose withdrawal the third one stepped forward.
“Since you seem so well acquainted with your donkey,” said the third man sarcastically.
“Can you tell us how many hairs there are on the tail of the beast?”
“Certainly,” replied the Hoca, “as many as the hairs in your beard.”
“And how can you prove that?”

“Very easily, if you have no objection. I will pull one hair from your beard, and you will pull one out of my
donkey’s tail. If both do not finish at the same time, then I will admit that I have been mistaken.”
Needless to say the third wise man had no desire to try the experiment, they realised the greatness of Hodja.

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A Pot That Had a Baby

How a Donkey Reads

‘He’s reading aloud,’ said Nasreddin wisely.

The battle of wits

“Well, maybe! But do you have any proof?”

“What proof have you in support of this statement?”

“And how can you prove that?”

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