The Wit and Wisdom of Nasrudin
The Wit and Wisdom of Nasrudin
Mulla Nasrudin was a native of Turkey. He is famous for his wit and wisdom. Even today, an animal festival is held in his memory.
Nasrudin one day brought home a cake of soap and asked his wife to wash his shirt. His wife was applying soap to the shirt. Suddenly, a big crow swooped down and snatched the soap and flew away and sat on a branch. Mulla’s wife was very angry. She began to curse the crow loudly.
Nasrudin came running out of the house, “What happened, my dear?” “I was just going to wash your shirt and that wicked crow came down and stole the soap,” said the wife.
Mulla just laughed and said, “Look at the colour of my shirt and look at the colour of the crow. Don’t you think his need is greater than mine? I shall go and bring another soap. Don’t worry.”
One day, Nasrudin saw a man on the wayside very sad and serious. He went to him and asked him what the matter was.
“There is nothing of interest in life, brother,” said the man. “I have a lot of money, a good wife, and children, but still cannot find happiness.”
Without another word, Nasrudin took his traveller’s bag and ran off with it. He ran very fast. The traveller tried his best to catch Nasrudin for his bag, but he could not. After making him run for sometime, he placed the bag by the side of the road and watched from behind a tree. The miserable traveller, when he saw his bag lying there, ran towards it shouting with joy.
“That is happiness. You have found it, haven’t you?” said Nasruddin.
Questions :
- Why was Nasrudin’s wife angry?
- What was the reply of Nasrudin?
- How did Nasrudin make the traveller find happiness?
[Source – Stories for Children – II, Published by – Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications Trust, Prashanti Nilayam]