tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82805749066812190542024-03-06T00:41:23.271+01:00This Reminds Me Of A Story111 Teaching Stories of Nasreddin Hodja, the Wise Fool of the East retold by Ioan TennerDaniel Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07118792955515001306noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-53869107377396316082014-12-15T21:40:00.001+01:002017-02-14T16:46:40.810+01:00Bibliography of Nasruddin story books and publications
TO SEE THE 111 NASRUDDIN STORIES CLICK HERE
Then, read the stories upwards; as many other things these stories are piled-up upside down, or better said, downside-up. Well, I am kidding. In fact I published them from first to last but the bogging logic believes that old posts are chased away by the new ones.
Bibliography of Nasruddin story books and publications[i]
Compiled 2004, Ioan Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-25684213886568046652010-12-23T17:22:00.040+01:002019-09-20T12:06:17.360+02:00
This reminds me of a story
111 Teaching Stories of Nasreddin Hodja, the Wise Fool of the East.
© 2007 -2019 Ioan Tenner and Daniel Tenner
Foreword
There is nothing new in the world but for a newborn all the stories are new. For the newcomer to Nasreddin Hodja, the 111 stories that follow promise a discovery. As for Nasreddin’s old friends, they are a modest aide-mémoire.
This Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-61250306421264963892008-01-30T12:02:00.007+01:002016-04-13T19:30:38.509+02:00This shall pass too…
It rains and then it stops… Everything has a beginning and an end. And as they say, when there is no more water in the pail, there is no more moon in the water. I know, our children cannot understand this in time to listen to their parents before they go. Tales go to sleep with their tellers, other, new people are needed to give them life, again. This reminds me of a story:
Well, the MullahIoan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-44578546089559691842008-01-29T11:13:00.004+01:002015-12-24T14:38:24.188+01:00The wisdom of the world
It takes a life to learn what is really important; so that you would speak less, about fewer, meaningful things. But silence, as meaningful as it is, is rarely understood. You can of course point the way or give your own action as an example... However, most of the time you must use words, many, many words, to say first what you will say, then to say it, and at last to say again what you said. Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-51374411961813523432008-01-28T20:59:00.005+01:002016-07-23T13:57:22.433+02:00Skilful augur
Bold people practise the art of self-fulfilling prophesy knowing that a large part of our future is of our own making. This reminds me of a story:
At one time Nasreddin bragged that he had the power to see the future. This proved to be a dangerous gift. As soon as Tamerlane was informed about the sinful claim he called Hodja and, as he unsheathed his sword, asked with a vicious smile:
Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-7252807084778379272008-01-27T15:03:00.002+01:002016-07-23T14:02:27.244+02:00Sharing with God
It is most profitable to associate with Divinity when you beg. You are looked at down and up, at the same time. This reminds me of a story:
Tamerlane’s dark army was streaming along a dusty trail under a boring dry succession of sandy gusts. In front, Tamerlane on his stallion. Behind, Hodja tottering on his mule.
Towards noon, in the precise middle of nowhere, the cavalcade came upon Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-33471932287268961902008-01-26T17:07:00.001+01:002015-12-24T15:36:29.523+01:00I will fool youNothing fools you like yourself. Great deceivers know this best. This reminds me of a story:
Tamerlane loved to cheat people and he was proud of his ruses. One evening at the court feast, after many drinks of arak, he remembered how in his youth he feigned dying, to appease a dangerous enemy:
“Shah-Mansur sent me ambassadors to size me up. Before their entry I had a lamb slaughtered and Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-51714966218276312722008-01-25T13:28:00.001+01:002008-02-21T11:25:46.813+01:00Bad debtFeelings may be more hurtful that facts. If you can’t treat the fact, you can still cure the feeling. This reminds me of a story:For several days now, Hodja kept his eye on Selim, his neighbour, over the fence. Poor Selim looked worried; all day he paced around the garden, like a bear in a cage. At night too you could hear him walking up and down inside his house, and sometimes coming out into Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-30608847741215447032008-01-24T14:26:00.002+01:002011-09-08T21:14:15.162+02:00Just a trifleDon’t ask for news from hungry people. This reminds me of a story:
The Cadi, returning from Ankara after three month of absence, was resting for lunch on the road-side by the forest. The meal was as rich as the cadi, Aksehir in sight but still far away downhill. Tired and hungry, Hodja appeared and was pleasantly surprised to meet food at the right time, when his belly urged for it.
“Salaam Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-71723084089742651382008-01-23T10:48:00.001+01:002011-06-16T13:41:05.453+02:00Art of beggingBeware the one who swells your pride. A flatterer gives nothing for what he takes. This reminds me of a story:
In those charming old times when Nasrudin was poor like the fleas in his beard, but still forever young and full of resource, a complicated chain of lucky and unlucky circumstances led his pilgrim path to the city of Ankara. There he exercised the temporary profession of begging for Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-46649688169365551642008-01-22T09:48:00.003+01:002011-05-24T12:01:35.116+02:00Random acts of kindnessIn one hundred occasions there may be ninety-nine when you don’t have a choice. But there is one when you can choose to do what you think to be good and right. That one decides who you are, with no excuse. This reminds me of a story*:
The sand of the Black Sea coast was covered with myriads of starfish washed ashore by the storm, doomed to be soon dried out by the sun. Nasreddin picked Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-19597300967857931852008-01-21T10:25:00.001+01:002011-06-16T19:44:07.001+02:00Last wishesTo him that is joined to all the living there is hope. A living dog is better than a dead lion. This reminds me of a story:
Timur's death mask
The years had passed without mercy. Tamerlane grew to conceive that time was the one enemy he could not conquer. He became interested in what the world would do after him. At the usual hour of leisurely repose, so much deserved by a king of kings, he Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-77985545188380300242008-01-20T12:14:00.001+01:002011-06-16T12:31:00.964+02:00Big fish, small fishCould someone please explain once more why you have to do unto others that which you want to have done unto you? This reminds me of a story:
Two fishes to feed 5000 CC Grauesel
Abu Hassan al-Mutakallim al-Hikma, utmost authority in the study of Divine Knowledge and Ethics, hearing too much and too often about the aforementioned Mullah Nasreddin, came to examine this man in his village of HortoIoan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-67826354967300082192008-01-19T11:59:00.000+01:002011-12-06T20:13:17.915+01:00Precise justiceYou can do what you want, but can you want what you want? This reminds me of a story:
Two merchants came to Nasrudin the cadi to obtain justice. One, Selim explained:
“Before I left for a long and dangerous voyage earlier this year I wanted to keep my money, three hundred gold curush, safe. I went to my old time and respectable acquaintance Ahmed, here present and asked him to keep my money Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-48879703735892334952008-01-18T11:05:00.001+01:002011-06-16T19:59:56.517+02:00Good foodThere is always higher than high and lower than low. This reminds me of a story:
Once you have tasted good food, you will remember it from time to time. Nasrudin, who, being retired from Tamerlane’s court, lived in modesty, walked once by the sultan’s palaces and observed a big feast offered to important people under a splendid tent. His feet decided at once and carried him inside, straight to Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-23136387475440243732008-01-17T11:06:00.001+01:002011-06-02T20:57:17.645+02:00Flirting with humilityTruly, to practice humility you need a certain well-being. This reminds me of a story:
One Friday afternoon, at the mosque, Nasrudin felt suddenly hit by modesty and depression for this life, so short, in a world so endless. He fell down on his knees, lifted his arms and cried out:
“Oh, Everlasting One! I’m nothing! I’m nothing!”
The Imam looked at him, saw that this was good and knelt down Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-44099163240412169502008-01-16T11:25:00.001+01:002008-03-24T00:16:42.398+01:00The wayGood horses, determination and good hope are good companions but poor guides. Before you charge ahead make certain you want the right thing. This reminds me of a story:One sunny spring afternoon Nasrudin was sitting peacefully by the imposing North gate of Samarkand watching the colourful string of caravans following each other and followed in turn by the curious glances of the populace.A Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-85809625194193977512008-01-15T11:02:00.002+01:002011-09-14T20:43:59.097+02:00Teaching the perplexedFor many, complication is menace and subtlety an insult. With such, keep things flat. This reminds me of a story:
Tired with the world, Mullah Nasrudin - the enlightened Hoca- lived secluded in a mountain cave. The perfumed rose of Sufi wisdom alone illuminated his nights and mystic love helped him ignore the cold of the dawn. But his renown could not let him in peace. Like swarms of hornets, Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-70608057273543803192008-01-14T12:48:00.000+01:002008-01-15T23:26:53.660+01:00An arm’s lengthBeing a public man is an art of the harlot. With one hand you lure the crowd with another you shun it. This reminds me of a story:One day the Imam visited Nasrudin, in all discretion to ask his counsel:“Dear Hodja, “he said, “you are seasoned in the art of giving advice. Like you, and even more, I am submerged with all these shallow believers who come, everyday, from morning to dusk, to solicit Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-54476050899931827622008-01-13T13:59:00.000+01:002008-01-13T14:02:18.888+01:00MovingSome, will learn from you and pay you with respect. Most, will steal from you whatever you teach and hasten away. Lucky if they let you live. This reminds me of a story:At one time when Hodja was a poor man, he got visited by a thief. Nasrudin was lying in his bed. To avoid being hurt, he pretended that he was sleeping. The man packed whatever he considered worth into a big bundle and finally Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-42147681136326614562008-01-12T11:53:00.003+01:002011-09-14T21:00:16.191+02:00You never knowA touch of eastern wisdom will always be good for your health provided you don’t get drowned in its endless flow. This reminds me of a story:
For once, the Mullah was almost rich. Tamerlane had offered him a pure breed stallion as a gift for being amused on one occasion. Besides, he had saved some good money. Homesick and wiser as he felt, he decided to settle again in his native village of Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-10901655459627421252008-01-11T11:36:00.001+01:002011-06-22T20:11:05.688+02:00How muchIn overseeing your possessions it helps to have a long term view. Not too long though. This reminds me of a story:
Every child can imagine the cavern of Ali Baba. But who on earth could have been able to picture the treasuries of Tamerlane? What is robbing a caravan compared with plundering twenty-seven kingdoms? For an example, eight hundred camels were insufficient to carry the gold pillaged Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-29759877714007785082008-01-10T11:28:00.000+01:002008-01-10T11:33:54.559+01:00Multiplying with one hundredThere is strength in numbers; the best place to hide may be amidst a crowd. This reminds me of a story:Tamerlane, the protector of the arts, became very fond of spending his leisure time and soothing his soul in the sound of the zummarah reed pipe. Soon, from one performer, the kingly orchestra grew to no less than one hundred blindfolded pipers, replenishing the gallery above the emir's resting Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-72240610265210801662008-01-09T11:25:00.000+01:002008-01-09T11:40:18.572+01:00Either orDon’t let choices choose for you. There may be a choice of choices. This reminds me of a story:Friday noon at the mosque, the Imam decided to preach by making people feel, in their own being, the meaning of salvation and damnation.“Let’s see,” he said, "those of you who choose to go to Hell, stand up!”Nobody rose.“Now, those who want to go to Heaven,” continued the Imam with intent.Everybody Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8280574906681219054.post-75054418086436043652008-01-08T13:03:00.000+01:002008-01-08T13:46:31.552+01:00Find the stupidInstruct a jester with care. He may do what you request instead of what you want. This reminds me of a story:Said Tamerlane:“Mulla, here is a task that fits a fool. Find out for me who are the ten most foolish people in Samarkand. Have fear of no one, I request the truth. Rasti Rusti! What means do you need to do it?”Nasrudin considered carefully and replied:“Hearing is obeying, Sahib Qiran! I Ioan Tennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470851122686262131noreply@blogger.com0