| Don’t believe a donkey’s word! (Easy) Most of Nasreddin’s neighbours were pleasant people. They were always ready to help each other when they were in trouble. But a woman lived in his street and nobody liked her. Because she interfered in other people’s business, and because she borrowed things from people and then forgot to give them back. Early one morning, Nasreddin heard a knock at this front door. When he opened it, he found this woman outside. “Good morning, Nasreddin,” she said. “I have to take some things to my sister’s house in the town today, and I have not got a donkey, as you know. Will you lend me yours? I will bring it back this evening.” “I am sorry,” answered Nasreddin. “I would like to lend it to you, but it is not here.” “Oh?” said the woman. “It was here last night, because I saw it behind your house. Where is it now?” “My wife took it into town early this morning,” answered Nasreddin. Just then the donkey brayed loudly. “You are not telling the truth, Nasreddin!” the woman said angrily. “I can hear your donkey. You should be ashamed of yourself because you are telling lies to a neighbour!” “You should be ashamed of yourself, not me!” shouted Nasreddin. How can you believe a donkey’s word and not a neighbour's. |
| Is it good manners to believe a donkey’s word? (Not so easy) Most of Nasreddin’s neighbours were pleasant people, who were always ready to help each other when they were in trouble; but there was one woman who lived in his street who was disliked by everybody because she was always interfering in other people’s business, and because she was always borrowing things from people and then forgetting to give them back. Early one morning, Nasreddin heard a knock at this front door, and, when he opened it, found this woman outside. “Good morning, Nasreddin,” she said. “I have to take some things to my sister’s house in the town today, and I have not got a donkey, as you know. Will you lend me yours? I will bring it back this evening.” “I am sorry,” answered Nasreddin. “If my donkey was here, I would of course lend it to you very willingly, but it is not.” “Oh?” said the woman. “It was here last night, because I saw it behind your house. Where is it now?” “My wife took it into town early this morning,” answered Nasreddin. Just then the donkey brayed loudly. “You are not telling the truth, Nasreddin!” the woman said angrily. “I can hear your donkey. You should be ashamed of yourself, telling lies to a neighbour!” “You are the one who should be ashamed of yourself, not me!” shouted Nasreddin. Is it good manners to believe a donkey’s word rather than that of one of one’s neighbours?” |
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