One day Mulla Nasreddin put three plums on a large plate and took them as a gift to the conqueror Timur. Along the way, the plums began to roll on the tray from one side to the other, and no matter how Mulla said: “Lie still, don’t move, otherwise I’ll eat you!” - nothing worked: the plums kept jumping and rolling. Mullah, angry, ate two plums one after another and presented Timur with only one plum. Timur was very happy and granted him a lot of money.
A few days later, Mulla picked up a basket of beets and again took them to the sovereign. He came across a man on the road, and upon learning that Mulla was bringing beets to Timur, he said:
- Bring him the figs, he will be even more happy.
Mulla got some good figs and brought them to Timur. By order of the sovereign, the entourage and servants began to throw figs at Mulla. And as the figs hit his head, Mulla kept wailing:
- Blessings to the Lord, praise to you, merciful, all-generous! Now I understand the meaning of beneficent advice!
Timur heard this and asked:
- Mullah, why are you still giving thanks?
Nasreddin replied:
“Sir, at first I brought you beets, but on the way one person dissuaded me from doing so.” If I had brought beets, what would have happened to me! I would lose my eyes and my head, and there would be nothing left of me.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru