How to spread flour on a rope? Nasreddin Hodja

One day a neighbour, whom he did not like, asked the Hodja for the loan of his rope. The Hodja went into the house and after a time came back and said: "Sorry, the rope is not available. My wife is spreading flour on it." "What do you mean?" asked the surprised man. "How can flour be spread on a rope? You must be making fun of me!" "No, I'm quite serious," replied the Hodja. "When I do not wish to lend anybody my rope, flour can easily be spread on it."