Molla Nasrudin's son once boasted, claiming that he had a hundred friends. The young man was sure that each of these hundred people would not abandon him in difficult times, since they were called his friend. Then the wise Molla asked: “Are you sure, my son, that these people are your friends?” To which my son answered: “Yes!” In turn, Molla invited the young man to test the strength of his friendship.
“Take a bag, fill it with cotton wool,” he ordered his son.
After the bag was prepared, the following instructions from the father followed:
- Go around to all your friends in turn, telling everyone that you are in trouble. Say that a person died by your hand and his body is now in a bag. Ask each of your friends to help you get rid of the body.
And the young man, putting the sack on his shoulders, left the house. After some time, he returned. His face showed resentment and disappointment.
- What's happened? - Molla asked.
- 90 of my friends closed the door in my face as soon as they heard about the body in my bag! - said the disgruntled young man.
“I see,” Molla shook his head. - These 90 out of 100 are not your friends. They will not help you in difficult times. But what did the other 10 say?
“Nine of the remaining agreed to help me bury the body bag and were ready to go with me to dig a grave,” said the young man.
- What did the last one say? - Molla asked.
“He said: “Give me the bag, I’ll bury the body.” And you yourself go to bed. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
“It’s clear, my son,” Molla shook his head again, “90 out of 100 are not your friends, 9 are half friends, and only one out of a hundred is your true friend.”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru