Histoires de Nasreddine Hodja

A long time ago in Turkey, there lives a man called Nasreddin Hodja. He is a teacher, and he is very clever. But sometimes he is also very funny. People still tell stories about him today.

One day the people of the town ask Hodja to speak to them. Hodja stands up in front of everyone.

"My friends," he says, "do you know what I am going to tell you?"

"No, Hodja," say the people. "We don't know."

"You don't know?" says Hodja. "Then why should I talk to you?" And he goes home.

The people are surprised. A week later they ask him to speak again. Hodja stands up in front of everyone.

"My friends," he says, "do you know what I am going to tell you?"

This time the people say, "Yes, Hodja, we know!"

"Oh, you know?" says Hodja. "Then I don't need to tell you." And he goes home again.