151 Mulla Nasruddin’s Tales

One day, a stranger came to Bukhara to check if the city had any wise people. He went to the town square and began asking the local people a variety of questions but they all referred him to Mulla Nasruddin. “Mulla, can you answer a few questions for me?” the stranger asked. Mulla eyed the […]

One evening, Mulla Nasruddin was standing near a river. A man on the other side shouted out, “Hey! How can I get across the river?” “You are across!” Mulla shouted back. “Don’t be funny! Please help me!” pleaded the man. Feeling sorry for him, Mulla took a boat to the man. As he was ferrying

One day, Mulla Nasruddin decided to wear elaborate Arabic clothing. When he came home, his wife noticed that the clothing had been torn to shreds. “Did you get beaten up?” she asked. “Yes,” Mulla replied. “But why?” she inquired, “People don’t beat up others for wearing an outfit like that.” “Well,” Mulla said, “Tell that

One day, Mulla Nasruddin’s wife noticed him eating dates with their seeds. “Why are you eating the seeds?” she asked. “Because,” explained Mulla, “the merchant who sold them to me included the weight of the seeds.” “Utterly foolish!” she shouted. Mulla went out in search of a place where his wife would not disturb him.

One day, Mulla Nasruddin and his friend were walking by the lakeside with their donkeys. “Do you know where the centre of the earth is?” asked Mulla’s friend. “Directly under the right hoof of my donkey,” said Mulla. “What! How can you be so sure?” asked his friend. “Well, if you don’t believe me, you

One day, a cow was drinking water from a container and got its head stuck in the narrow passage of the container. The cow’s owner and many passers-by saw what had happened, and some tried to prod the cow’s head out. But alas, the cow remained stuck, much to their dismay. Just then, Mulla Nasruddin

One day, Mulla Nasruddin met a man from another town and began talking to him. The man lamented, “I am rich, but I am also sad and miserable. I have taken my money and gone travelling in search of joy. But alas, I have yet to find it.” Mulla was thinking of different ways to

One day, Mulla Nasruddin’s beloved donkey passed away. The grief-stricken Mulla decided to make a grave for it and give it a formal burial. As he cried, a man asked, “Who is buried there?” Embarrassed to admit it was his donkey, he replied, “A great sheikh. He appeared to me in a dream and told

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

One day, a man climbed up a tall tree. After sometime, he realised that he could not get down the tree without putting himself at risk of falling. He asked a few passers-by for help, but more knew what to do. Then Mulla Nasruddin walked by and devised a plan. He threw a rope up

One night, a group of thieves broke into Mulla Nasruddin’s house and demanded money. Mulla said, “I would gladly give you a million Thankas but unfortunately I am rather low on funds right now, and only have twenty Thankas in my pocket.” Saying this, he handed it to the thieves. But the thieves were very

Once, Mulla Nasruddin’s wife said, “Let’s buy a cow so that we may have milk every day.” Mulla replied, “We don’t have enough space in our barn for my donkey and a new cow.” But despite his objection, his wife persisted until he finally gave in. So, he bought the cow and just as he

One day, Mulla Nasruddin’s son said, “Father, I want to marry someone who is intelligent and expressive.” So as part of his plan, Mulla led his son to the town square and slapped him in front of all the people. Then he exclaimed, “This is what you get for doing exactly what I told you

Once, the Chief Judge was on sick leave. Thus, Mulla Nasruddin was appointed Judge for a few days as he was well known for his wit and wisdom. One day, a man complained to Mulla, “I was just robbed at the border of this village! It must have been someone from here, and I demand

Once, on a journey, Mulla Nasruddin and two men stopped to eat their packed lunch. One of them bragged, “I only eat roasted salted pistachios, cashews and dates.” The other said, “Well, I only eat dried salmon.” Seconds later, Mulla held up a loaf of bread and confidently announced, “Well, I only eat wheat mixed