151 Mulla Nasruddin’s Tales

Once, a rich Amir invited a great classical musician and all music lovers were expected to gather at his house. As Mulla Nasruddin entered, the guests murmured, “What’s he doing here? He knows nothing about music!” As Mulla sat down next to a guest, he thought, ‘I will find out why the rich listen to […]

One day, Mulla Nasruddin overheard a conversation of a short man with a porter at the bazaar. “Carry my boxes and I will give you three  pieces of advice,” said the short man. “I can’t eat your advice,” said the porter and he walked away. Curious Mulla offered to carry his box. “Remember, I’ll pay

Once, the cruel Sultan of Bukhara passed an order that no one should laugh as he suffered from severe headaches. One day, Mulla Nasruddin saw the soldiers beating a man for laughing. Mulla thought of a plan and shared it with his wife. That night, she informed the soldiers, “There is someone laughing near the

One morning, Mulla Nasruddin was impatiently walking around in his courtyard. He wanted to go inside his house and lie on his cot to daydream. But his wife was scrubbing the floor inside! Then suddenly, a big thorn stuck in his foot and he screamed, “Eeeeeyaaa!” Mulla sat down and managed to pull the thorn

Once, Mulla Nasruddin’s father-in-law came to visit him. So, he borrowed a brass pot from a pawn merchant for cooking. But the greedy merchant took twenty Thankas as rent. The next day, Mulla went back with the brass pot and two silver cups that his father-in-law brought. “Your pot was expecting and gave birth to

Once, Mulla Nasruddin bought two seers of rice. Then, he went to visit his friend Akber’s ailing wife. A man with a duck sat outside Akber’s house. Mulla said, “Please keep my bag. I’ll come and take it in a while.” Half an hour later, when Mulla returned, the man gave him an empty bag

Once, a rich man named Sallauddin announced, “I need a servant, who is well travelled and knows many stories because only stories can put me to sleep.” Someone referred Mulla Nasruddin to Sallauddin and he offered Mulla a good salary. Mulla accepted the job and his night duty began. He told true and false stories

Once, a sage camped outside Bukhara. Many people went to hear his holy sermons. Mulla Nasruddin also went with his donkey. While preaching about mercy and love to all animals, the sage pointed at Mulla’s donkey and said, “Look at that humble creature which serves its master without complaining. Dogs and horses have even saved

Mulla did not have a steady income. “I’m doing Allah’s service,” he always said. “Then, ask Him for a salary,” Gulzan said, one day. Mulla went into a forest and prayed, “Allah, I offer prayers five times a day. Give me a salary with all past dues.” A cunning money-lender, Zafar, placed his heavy money-bag

Mulla Nasruddin went to the fish bazaar to buy the best fish i.e. ‘Fish Baghdadi’. “This is the best pomfret for the dish. It is as long as your beard and as wide as your grin,” said the fish seller as he handed the fish wrapped in a wet rag. Mulla bought it and headed

Once, in a feast, Mulla shared his story with the guests. “When I was young, I went to the city of Kahira of Misr country (Cairo of Egypt country) as I wanted to buy ropes made of fine cotton. I invited the Kahira merchant to dinner and bought a fat hen. I wanted the chicken

Once, Mulla was invited to a rich man’s feast. Of all the delicacies served, he particularly liked a dish called, ‘Fish Baghdadi’. After the feast, the rich man asked his chef to write the recipe for Mulla while his servants served dried fruits to the guests. Mulla noticed a guest quietly filling his pockets with

Once, Mulla Nasruddin’s friend, Akber, advised him to get married. After a long time, Mulla met Akber. Akber asked, “Mulla, how is your married life going on?” “It’s all right!” said Mulla. “Except that my wife is a big spender.” Akber could not believe that Gulzan, a potter’s daughter, would indulge in luxuries. “She demands

One day, Mulla Nasruddin was sitting with many people at a rich Amir’s house. Someone asked, “If God was pleased with you what would you ask him–wealth, brains, beautiful wife, children, good health….” The Amir asked Mulla, “Well, will you ask for wealth or brains?” “Wealth!” Mulla answered without hesitation. “I thought you were a

Every morning, Mulla Nasruddin stood before a mirror and adored his beard. However, one night, he saw a mouse near his beard. So, he bought a cat. Then, he bought a potter’s goat for milk. But the goat wouldn’t let anyone milk her except the potter’s daughter, Gulzan. So, she came every day to Mulla’s