HODJA STORIES

• The Scholarly Coachman
• Sweet Quarrels
• Super Salesman
• Hodja in the Dust
• Hodja Postpones Paying
• The Mulla Pleads Poverty
• The Mulla In A Muddle
• Sour Reply
• Fired by Fear
• Milk for the Mullah
• The Mind-Reader
• Speedy Ox
• Hodja's Rich Dream
• The Donkey's Relatives
• Hodja's Holy House
• Hodja Goes To A Tailor
• A Question of Time
• Hodja is Relieved
• Hodja and the Scholar
• Hodja's Donkey
• Hodja Suggests a Remedy
• Hodja Refuses to Write
• Hodja, the King
• The Incomplete Coffin

The Mulla Pleads Poverty

MULLA Nasruddin was once brought before a judge by a man to whom he owed some money.
The creditor said to the judge: "This man owes me 500 dinars which are long overdue. I request your excellency to order him to pay me immediately, without further delay."
"I do owe him money," said the Mulla, "and I intend to pay him. I'll sell my cow and horse if necessary, but it'll take time."
"He is lying," said the other man. "He doesn't have a cow or horse or anything of value for that matter. I am told he doesn't even have food in his house!"
"When he knows I am so poor, O Judge," said the Mulla, "ask him how he expects me to pay him immediately."
The judge dismissed the case.