Mulla Nasruddin took his donkey to the market and sold it for 30 Thankas. The man who bought it immediately put it up for auction. “Look at this fine animal!” he shouted to passers by, “Have you ever seen a better specimen of a donkey? See how clean and strong it is!” Thus, he went on to list the qualities of the animal. At the end of his sales talk, a man said he would give 40 Thankas for it. Another man offered 50. A third offered 55. Mulla, who was watching, was amazed at the interest everyone was showing in his donkey. ‘What a fool I was to think it an ordinary animal,’ he thought, ‘It is a wonderful beast, one in a million….’ He suddenly realised that the owner had received a good offer and was about to close the bidding. “75 Thankas once…,” said the man. “75 Thankas twice….” “80 Thankas!” said Mulla, and he bought his donkey back.
The Wonderful Donkey
