Nasruddin

Missive #457 Published 7 March 2025

77. The Cabbage and the Cooking-Pot

Nasruddin and his friends were sitting in the coffeehouse, boasting.

“I once grew a cucumber as long as my arm,” one man said.

“That’s nothing!” said another. “I once grew a watermelon as big as a sheep.”

“Ha!” said another. “I’ve got you both beat: I once grew a head of cabbage that was as large as an elephant.”

Then Nasruddin said, “Just yesterday I bought a cooking-pot as big as a polo field.”

“That’s ridiculous!” the men shouted at Nasruddin. “Why would anyone want a pot that big?”

“In order to cook that head of cabbage!” replied Nasruddin, smiling.

Missive #452 Published 28 February 2025

76. Donkeys and Horses

Nasruddin was riding his donkey along the road when a rich man on a fine horse rode up alongside him.

“I’ve been watching you and your donkey,” he said, “and you are a sorry-looking sight. I don’t know who looks more pathetic: you or your donkey!”

Nasruddin did not reply.

“I’m talking to you!” shouted the rich man. “Don’t you have anything to say?”

“Excuse me,” said Nasruddin apologetically. “I was just so surprised that I didn’t know what to say.”

“What do you mean you were surprised?”

Nasruddin smiled. “I’ve never actually seen a donkey riding a horse."

Missive #448 Published 21 February 2025

75. Nasruddin and the Wealthy Merchant

Nasruddin once found himself traveling in the company of a wealthy merchant.

“The more wealthy I am, the more wealthy I become,” said the merchant proudly. “Look at my fine boots and your shabby sandals, my thoroughbred horse and your broken-down donkey, my elegant garments and your threadbare cloak…”

As the merchant was speaking, robbers suddenly rode up and attacked them, stripping the merchant of his clothes and stealing his horse. Meanwhile, they ignored Nasruddin and his donkey.< br>
“Remarkable!” said Nasruddin, “The more wealthy you were, the more you had to lose, while my circumstances remain the same as before.”

Missive #444 Published 14 February 2025

74. Nasruddin and the Porter

Nasruddin needed to hire a porter to take home four large sacks of grain he had bought at the market.

Just outside the market, he found a porter with a wagon.

“Good day, sir!” said Nasruddin.

“Good day to you!” replied the porter.

“How much will you charge to take me and my purchases to my house?” Nasruddin asked.

“That will be four copper coins for you,” said the porter. “No charge for the purchases.”

Excellent!” said Nasruddin as he started heaving the sacks of grain onto the wagon. “You just take my purchases home, and I’ll follow on foot.”

Missive #441 Published 7 February 2025

73. Nasruddin and the Tailor

Nasruddin went into a tailor’s shop. “I’d like to try on a pair of trousers.”

The tailor gave him the trousers, and Nasruddin tried them on.

“They’re not quite right,” he said, giving them back to the tailor. “I’d like to try a jacket now, please.”

Nasruddin liked the jacket very much. “I’ll take it!” he said, and then he began to walk out the door.

“But wait!” shouted the tailor. “You haven’t paid!”

“I exchanged the trousers for the jacket,” Nasruddin explained.

“But you didn’t pay for the trousers!”

“Of course not!” said Nasruddin. “I didn’t want the trousers."

Missive #438 Published 31 January 2025

72. Nasruddin’s Ladder

Nasruddin was fond of fruit, and he was also fond of raiding his neighbor’s orchards.

One night he had just lowered a ladder into someone’s orchard in order to raid it, but the orchard’s owner caught him in the act.

“What are you doing with that ladder?” the man shouted at him.

“Are you talking about this ladder?” asked Nasruddin. “Well, to tell the truth, I’m just trying to sell this ladder.”

“You can’t sell a ladder here!” the man replied.

“I beg to differ,” said Nasruddin indignantly. “A ladder can be sold anywhere! Do you want to buy it?”

Missive #433 Published 24 January 2025

71. Nasruddin the Nightingale

Nasruddin had broken into an apricot orchard and climbed a tree.

As he was stuffing his pockets with apricots, the owner of the orchard discovered him.

“What are you doing up in that tree?” the man shouted.

Nasruddin said nothing.

“I repeat: what are you doing up there?”

“Are you talking to me?” asked Nasruddin.

“Yes, you!”

“I’m just a nightingale,” said Nasruddin. “This tree is my home.”

“If you’re a nightingale, sing!” said the man.

Nasruddin sang. He sang very badly.

“You don’t sound like a nightingale!”

“I’m a young nightingale,” said Nasruddin. “I’m still just learning to sing.”

Missive #424 Published 10 January 2025

69. Nasruddin and the Apple Tree

As he was riding past an apple orchard, Nasruddin was seized by a desire for apples, so he led his donkey up to one of the trees.

Then, standing on the donkey’s back, he reached up and grabbed hold of a branch.

Just as he was about to pick an apple, though, the orchard’s owner came running up. This startled the donkey, who bolted and left Nasruddin dangling from the branch.

“Get down from there!” the man shouted. “I’m going to have you arrested for stealing my apples!”

“I’m no thief,” Nasruddin shouted back. “I just fell off my donkey.”

Missive #419 Published 3 January 2025

68. Nasruddin and the Thief’s Shoes...

Did you happen to notice that the drone scares that were front page NEWS for about a week suddenly just went away. I don't know if the drones went away but the lame stream media is no longer reporting anything about them. I suspect it was a government operation trying to drum up some support for a war against Iran. When that proved to be a dud they just let it fade away. Now we have 'terrorist' attacks in the United States again. This time by men that were, or are, in the Army; just like the leftists said would happen. We need more laws against anyone that is now in or has been in any branch of the US military — look for it to come.