151 Mulla Nasruddin’s Tales

Once, Mulla Nasruddin fell into a ditch. He was surprised to see some people crying near the ditch. He asked an old man, “Sir, why are you sitting here?” The old man cried, “As I couldn’t pay back the money-lender, Jafar, he threw me out of my house.” “Give this money to Jafar and take […]

Mulla Nasruddin was day dreaming and building castles in the air as he had won a lot of money. ‘I would buy four shops and I would keep two workers in each shop. In a year or two, I would become prosperous and have a grand mansion. I would have two wives and four sons.

Once, Mulla Nasruddin saw a group of people gambling in the open, while having tea and snacks. He took out a hundred and twenty-five coins and began to gamble. A red-haired man had been lucky for seven times but this time he lost his chance. When Mulla got ready to throw the dice, his donkey

Mulla Nasruddin and the servant shared the rich man’s money when he was caught riding away on his donkey. The servant said to Mulla, “I’ll pretend that we had never met at all.” “Yes, if you continue like this, one day you will become like Mulla Nasruddin,” said Mulla. “Who? Mulla Nasruddin! How do you

One afternoon, Mulla Nasruddin stopped by a tea shop near a lake. He saw a tax officer riding on a fine horse, led by two servants. As the tax officer took a nap inside the tea shop, his servants tied the horse near Mulla and went away. Just then, a rich man was passing by.

One day, Mulla Nasruddin saw two people arguing near his house. Mulla recognised one of the men as his friend. “What are you two arguing over?” asked Mulla. Mulla’s friend explained, “Mulla, I needed money and borrowed a 100 Thankas from him. When he asked for interest, I said I would pay nothing.” The other

One day, Mulla Nasruddin went to his merchant friend’s house. He informed the merchant that he and his wife were going to a far-off place. The road passed through a dangerous area inhabited by robbers. During those days, there was always a chance of getting robbed in rocky hills, deserts and jungles. As Mulla’s merchant

Mulla Nasruddin’s wife, Gulzan, had kept some goat dung in a clay pot to ward evil spirits off. But as the pot became infested with scorpions, she asked Mulla to throw it away. Mulla was too scared to do it and tried to put her off. One night, he saw a thief outside his window.

One day, Mulla Nasruddin heard the cries of his donkey and rushed out of his house to see what was happening. He looked around for his donkey and saw it in his neighbour’s yard. The neighbour was beating it with a stick. “Why are you beating my poor donkey?” yelled Mulla, running into his neighbour’s

The people from a village near Bukhara had heard the tales of wisdom and wit of Mulla Nasruddin. So, their village head-man sent a message to Mulla to give a speech about religion before them. Mulla rode on his donkey to the village, thinking how to get out of the tricky situation. “Do you know

One day, Mulla Nasruddin was grazing his donkey. A man walked up to Mulla, intending to have some fun. “How long has this donkey been with you?” he asked Mulla as he waited for the donkey to finish eating. “Almost two decades. He has been my companion on many journeys,” Mulla informed. “You must be

One day, Mulla Nasruddin saw a magician performing at the bazaar. He boasted, “There is no one like me in the entire world!” “We have heard of magicians doing greater acts,” Mulla shouted. “No one can do what I did? Can you do it?” challenged the magician. “What I can do with my eyes closed,

Once, Mulla Nasruddin saw a precious ring lying on the street. “What a good paymaster Allah is!” he said as he picked it up. But the law of Bukhara said that if anyone found an unclaimed article, he must announce thrice asking if anyone had lost that article. If no one claimed it even after

Mulla Nasruddin loved sitting by the river, each morning. But a rogue would tip-toe from behind, toss his turban and walk away laughing mockingly. Mulla tried to ignore him but this continued every morning. So, Mulla sought help from a wrestler friend. The next morning, the rogue tip-toed to Mulla as usual and swiftly tossed

Mulla Nasruddin’s wife, Gulzan, was pestering him for a washing soap. “Your coat looks grey with grime. When you walk around wearing that, people think Mulla’s wife is a lazy woman. I must wash it for the sake of my honour,” she declared. Mulla bought a washing soap on credit. As Gulzan sat in her