Nasreddin Hodja

And Nasruddin was one day supposed to give a sermon at the local mosque. A great crowd had come to hear his words of wisdom. And they had waited for long.

And at last Hodja came. He did not what to speak on. He asked the crowd – “Do you know what I am going to tell you?” And they replied, “No, dear Hodja, we don’t.” Hodja snapped, “In that case, I am not going to tell you anything.” Saying this, he left.

The next week, again a huge crowd assembled in expectation of Hodja’s sermon. Hodja came in due time, and asked, “Do you know what I am going to say?” The crowd had learned their lesson from the previous sermon, and replied in unison, “Yes, we do know what you shall speak.” And Hodja said in great joy, “In that case, I shall not speak anything.” Saying this, he left.

Another week passed, and it was again the day of the sermon. The crowd was prepared this time to do whatever it took to make Hodja talk. Hodja arrived, and asked, “Do you know what I am going to say?” As was planned, some members in the crowd replied “Yes” while the others said “No”. And Hodja said, “In that case, those of you who know can speak to those that don’t.” Saying this, he left.

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