The tax collector in Mulla Nasruddin’s town was corrupt and accepted bribes. One day, the mayor asked the tax collector to present his records for examination. Realising that they were false, the mayor shouted at the tax collector, “You are fired and I also order you to eat the papers you have brought here while we all watch!” While the court attendants watched in amazement, the tax collector did as he was ordered. Soon the news of what had happened spread throughout the town. A week later, the mayor appointed Mulla as the new tax collector. When the mayor asked him to present his records, Mulla handed him noon-eh-lavash (flat bread) with the records written on it. The mayor asked, “Why did you write your records on noon-eh-lavash?” Mulla replied, “I wrote these on bread just in case you would make me eat them as well.” The mayor burst out laughing and appreciated Mulla’s wit.
Records on Flat Bread
