Stories from Nasrettin Hoca’s universe (2)

Nasrettin once undertook to take nine donkeys for delivery to a local farmer. The man who entrusted them to him counted them, one by one, so that Nasrettin could be sure that there were really nine. On the road his attention was distracted by something by the wayside. Nasrettin, sitting astride one of the animals, counted them, again and again. He could make it only eight. Panic-stricken, he jumped off, looked all over the place, and then counted them again. There were nine. Then he noticed a remarkable thing. When he was sitting on donkey-back, he could see only eight donkeys. When, however, he dismounted, there were nine in full view. ‘This is the penalty’ reflected the Mulla, ‘for riding, when I should, no doubt, be walking behind the donkeys.’
‘Did you have any difficulty getting them here?’ asked the farmer when he arrived, dusty and dishevelled.
‘Not after I learned the trick of donkey-drivers – walk behind,’ said Nasrettin. ‘Before that they were full of tricks.’

A kinsman came to see Nasrettin from the country and brought a duck. Nasrettin was grateful, had the bird cooked and shared it with the guests. Presently another visitor arrived. “I am a friend”, he said, “of the man who gave you the duck.” Nasrettin fed him as well. This happened several times. Nasrettin’s house had become like a restaurant for out-of-town visitors. Everyone was a friend at some removes, of the original donor of the duck. Finally Nasrettin was exasperated. One day there was a knock at the door and a stranger appeared. “I am the friend of the friend of the friend of the man who brought you the duck from the country”, he said. “Come in” said Nasrettin. They seated themselves at the table and Nasrettin asked his wife to bring the soup. When the guest tasted it, it seemed to be nothing more than warm water. “What sort of soup is this?”, he said to the Mulla. “That” said Nasrettin, ” is the soup of the soup of the soup of the soup of the duck”. 

“Truth can not be transferred”- OSHO