Nasreddin bet that he could spend the night on the nearby mountains and survive, despite the snow and ice. Several jokers in the teahouse agreed to be witnesses. Nasreddin took a book and a candle and spent the coldest night of his life. In the morning, half dead, he demanded his money.
“You didn’t have anything with you that you could use to warm yourself up?” - asked fellow villagers.
- Nothing.
- Even candles?
- No, I had a candle.
- Then the bet is lost.
Nasreddin did not argue.
A few months later, he invited the same people to his house for a party. While waiting for food, they sat down in the room where Nasreddin received guests. Hours passed. The guests began to whisper about food.
“Let’s go see how things are going there,” said Nasreddin.
Everyone hurriedly rushed to the kitchen. There they found a huge pot of water with a candle burning under it. The water wasn't even lukewarm yet.
“It’s not ready yet,” said Nasreddin. - I don’t know why, the candle has been burning since yesterday.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru