Tamerlane offers a reward to anyone who can teach a donkey to read in three years. Nasruddin takes him up, but asks for ten years, with a stipend every year to pay for the donkey's education. Nasruddin is not worried. "Tamerlane is old, I am old, and one of us is bound to die in ten years; even the donkey might die," Nasruddin says, "and in the meantime I get the stipend."
Notes: In Nakosteen, Nasruddin asks for 25 years of stipend to teach the donkey to read and write. Nasruddin replies that in 25 years, either the donkey or the owner or he himself will be dead; in meantime, he has a ton of wheat annually and the use of the donkey.
Showing posts with label T0440. Show all posts
Showing posts with label T0440. Show all posts
Friday, December 21, 2001
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