A man heading into a field found a purse of gold on the road. As soon as he sat down in the shade under a tree to count the money, his friend approached him. Having learned what was the matter, a friend advised him not to go into the field with that kind of money.
- You can be robbed, even killed! And I’m going home to the city, you’d better give me the money for safekeeping!
The trusting man gave the find to a friend, and they parted until the evening. In the evening a friend said:
- What money? I have never taken money from anyone for safekeeping! And in response to all the memories of the amazed owner of the money about the details of the morning meeting, the friend showed more and more surprise and finally exclaimed:
- My dear! Either you are crazy, or you dreamed about this amazing incident! Stop making jokes that could make you feel sorry for your friends and ridiculed by your enemies.
Then the victim brought his friend to Judge Afandi. But even here, the accused, in an innocent and credible tone, asserted that this was the first time he had heard about the meeting and conversation under the shady tree:
“I don’t even know there’s a shade tree along this road!”
Afandi invited the victim to present a witness.
- But I have no other witness except the tree!
“If you have no other witness except the tree,” said Afandi, “then go and get the tree to appear in court and confirm that you are right!”
- What a strange proposal! How can a tree come here? - the victim exclaimed, thinking that Afandi had gone crazy.
Afandi, however, insisted:
“Run quickly and tell the tree: “Mulla Nasreddin Afandi orders you to immediately appear at the court hearing.” Then you will see how my order affects even a tree!
Full of doubts, the victim went to the tree. And the insidious friend, incredibly pleased, remained sitting with Afandi.
A quarter of an hour later Afandi asked him:
- Do you think your friend has already reached that tree?
- No, I probably haven’t gotten there yet. From here to that tree near farsang, that means it’s at least an hour’s journey.
The judge said nothing and sat there in silence until the victim returned. He appeared two hours later and complained to the judge about the tree’s disobedience. Afandi said:
“The tree has already come and with the tongue of your friend gave evidence of his treachery, and your friend himself confessed to his meanness.”
...And the purse of gold was recovered from the swindler.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru