Tamerlane's price - I Nasreddin Hodja |
During a deep conversation with Tamerlane, Tamerlane demanded: - Hodja you are, a learned and wise man. If I were a serf for sale, how much would you bid? Of course, Hodja knows no cowardice nor shyness. First he pretended to ponder: - If you ask me Hodja said, I would bid a hundred akche! (coin) Tamerlane was furious with this answer: - Only a hundred akche? Tamerlane said, you must be insane! Hodja, only my fur coat has value at least a hundred akche! - You are right His Highness! said Hodja with customary slyness. In fact, it was the fur coat for which I made my bid. |