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Pretending to be a fool matters not
Mullah Nasrudin (the central figure
in almost all tales of the Sufi tradition) had already become a
sort of attraction at the main market in the town. Whenever he went
there to beg, people would show him a large coin and a small one:
Nasrudin always chose the small one.
A generous man who was tired of seeing
everyone laugh at Nasrudin, explained to him:
"When people offer you two coins,
choose the larger one. Then you will have more money, and people
will not think you a fool."
"You are surely right",
replied Nasrudin. "But if I always chose the larger coin, people
would stop offering me money, in order to prove that I am a greater
fool than they are. And then I would no longer receive enough for
my food. There is nothing wrong with appearing to be a fool, if
what you are doing is in fact intelligent."
We are all responsible
A group of men came along the street;
heavily armed soldiers leading a condemned man to the gallows.
"That man is no good", said
a disciple to Nasrudin. "I once gave him a silver coin in order
to help him start his life afresh, and he did nothing important."
"He may be no good, but perhaps
he is now on his way to the gallows because of you," argued
the master. "Perhaps he used the alms in order to buy a dagger,
which he then used in committing his crime - because instead of
helping him with love and care, you chose to give him alms in order
to release yourself from your obligation."
Each thing in its own place
All Nasrudin's disciples were gathered
at a feast. They ate and drank for several hours, and talked about
the origins of the stars. The night drew on and everyone made ready
to go home.
A fine plate of sweets was left on
the table: Nasrudin made all his disciples eat it.
One, however, refused.
"The master is testing us,"
he said. "He wants to see whether we can control our desires."
"You are mistaken," replied
Nasrudin. "The best way of dominating a desire, is to satisfy
it. I would rather you had the sweets in your bellies - their rightful
place - than in your minds, which should be filled with nobler things."
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