folkThe Criticism Of Men
Hodja and his son went on a journey once. Hodja preferred that his son ride the donkey and that he himself go on foot. On the way they met some people who said:
-Look at that healthy young boy! That is today's youth for you. They have no respect for elders. He rides on the donkey and makes his poor father walk!
When they had passed by these people the boy felt very ashamed and insisted that he walk and his father ride the donkey. So Hodja mounted the donkey and the boy walked at his side. A little later they met some other people who said:
-Well, look at that! That poor little boy has to walk while his father rides the donkey.
After they had passed by these people, Hodja told his son:
-The best thing to do is for both of us to walk. Then no one can complain.
So they continued on their journey, both of them walking. A little ways down the road they met some others who said:
-Just take a look at those fools. Both of them are walking under this hot sun and neither of them are riding the donkey!
Hodja turned to his son and said:
-That just goes to show how hard it is to escape the opinions of men.
Everyone Who Sees The Light
Hodja's wife was pregnant. One night, her labor pains started and Hodja called the neighbours and the midwife. Soon they called out from his wife's room and said, "Hodja! You have a son!"
He was very happy. A few minutes later the midwife called out again,
"Hodja! You also have a girl."
After a little while, she called out again,
"Hodja! You have another girl!"
Hodja, who had been waiting in front of his wife's room, rushed into the room and bleww off the candle.
"What are you doing?" asked the surprised women.
"Well! Everyone who sees the light wants to come out. What else can I do?" he answered.
Forty Year Old Vinegar
His neighbour asked Hodja,
"Do you have some forty-year old vinegar?"
"I have," answered Hodja.
"Would you give me some? I need it to prepare a medication", said the man.
"No, I won't," replied Hodja. "If I had given some to everybody who asked for it, would I have it for forty years!"
Mortal's Way
One day four boys approached Hodja and gave him a bagful of walnuts.
"Hodja, we can't divide these walnuts among us evenly. So would you help us, please?"