Things Aren’t Always What They Seem
Time for Some Clarity
Mulla Nasrudin the smuggler was leading several donkeys that had bundles of straw on
their backs. An experienced Border Inspector spotted Nasrudin approaching.
“Halt,” the inspector said. “What is your business here?”
“I am an honest smuggler!” replied Nasrudin.
“Oh, really?” said the inspector. “Well, let me search those straw bundles. If I find
something in them, you are required to pay a border fee!”
“Do as you wish,” Nasrudin replied, “but you will not find anything.”
The inspector intensively searched and took apart the bundles, but could not find a single
thing in them. He turned to Nasrudin and said, “I suppose you have managed to get one
by me today. You may continue.”
Mulla Nasrudin crossed the border with his donkeys while the annoyed inspector looked
on. The very next day, Nasrudin once again came to the border with straw-carrying
donkeys. The inspector saw Nasrudin coming and thought, I’ll get him for sure this time.
He checked the bundles of straw again, and then searched through Nasrudin’s clothing.
He even went through the harnesses of the donkeys. But once again he came up empty
handed and had to let Nasrudin pass.
This same pattern continued every day for several years, and every day Nasrudin wore
more and more extravagant clothing and jewellery, that indicated he was getting
wealthier.
Eventually, the inspector retired from his job, but even in retirement he still wondered
about the man with the straw-carrying donkeys. I should have checked the donkeys’
mouths more extensively, he thought to himself.
Then one day he spotted Nasrudin’s face in a crowd.
“Hey,” the inspector said, “I know you! You are that man who came to my border every
day for all those years with donkeys carrying straw. Please, sir, I must talk to you.”
Nasrudin came towards him and the inspector continued talking. “My friend, I always
wondered what you were smuggling past my border every day. Just between you and
me, you must tell me. I must know!”
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Mulla Nasrudin looked at the man, smiled and replied, “Donkeys.”
Mulla Nasrudin tales have been passed down for many centuries. It is thought that the
Mulla Nasrudin character is based on a real man who lived in the 1300s. However, many
countries claim to be the origin of the actual Mulla Nasrudin character and his tales. It
remains uncertain where the man lived and the stories started. In early times the title
Mulla was used to signify a learned man and can be summed up in this Mulla Nasrudin
story:
Friend: “Mulla Nasrudin, how does one become wise?”
Nasrudin: “Listen attentively to people when they speak. And when someone is listening
to you, listen attentively to what you are saying!”
With thanks to Radio 4’s Museum of Curiosity, that reminded us of Mulla Nasrudin.
From all of us at Clarity, enjoy this festive season and never assume Santa Claus is
exactly what he seems!
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