Right under your very own nose

“Tales of Nasreddin Hodja” a book from my son’s school library was my first introduction to Nasreddin Hodja. Mulla (a.k.a. Hodja or Hoca) Nasrudin is the starring character in a vast number of amusing tales told in regions all over the world, particularly in countries in or near the Middle East. Each tale depicts Nasrudin in a different situation, and through his viewpoint they humorously reveal commentary and lessons on various life themes. The great allure of the Mulla Nasrudin tales is that they are funny as well as lesson filled, philosophical, and thought provoking. I enjoyed them so much I got a copy made. Even now, when I feel that some humour could relieve my frayed nerves, I dig for it or a James Harriet or Catherin Cookson’s works of fiction. They act like soothing balm, believe me. I Don’t miss them..I like humour.

My passion for reading has made me hoard a good collection of books of different authors most of them from the Gulf Air Thrift Shop (earlier it used to be in Muharraq, now I have no idea), BSPCA Thrift shop in Budaiya and many supermarkets and book shops in Bahrain. Contributions from some of my friends while leaving this Island for good, have also added to my cache, a sure way to remember them time and again. Collection from various parts of Delhi bookshops, Janpath especially and most memorable ones from Higgins Botham book store in Mangalore in the 80s had to be given up and distributed when I left both these places for greener pastures. But over here my collection continues for the past nineteen years. I am a bit stingy in sharing them with any Tom, Dick and Harry, though I don’t mind doing so with ONLY some of my trusted friends because it hurts me when books left my book-shelves never got see their owner again, which has happened quite often.

Mention of my 'reading and collection' hobby is just in the passing. But two of the incidents that took place recently reminded me of wise Hodja's tales and the lessons to be learnt.

Quote:

What in the in the World Were You Smuggling?

Nasrudin the smuggler was leading a donkey that had bundles of straw on its back. An experienced border inspector spotted Nasrudin coming to his border. “Halt,” the inspector said. “What is your business here?”“I am an honest smuggler!” replied Nasrudin.“Oh, really?” said the inspector. “Well, let me search those straw bundles. If I find something in them, then you are required to pay a border fee!”“Do as you wish, “Nasrudin replied, “but you will not find anything in those bundles.” The inspector intensively searched and took apart the bundles, but could not find a single thing in them. He turned to Nasrudin and said, “You have managed to get one by me today. You may pass the border.” Nasrudin crossed the border with his donkey while the annoyed inspector looked on. And then the very next day, Nasrudin once again came to the border with a straw-carrying donkey. The inspector saw Nasrudin coming and thought, “I’ll get him for sure this time.” He checked the bundles of straw again, and then searched through Nasrudin’s clothing, and even went through the donkey’s harness. But once again he came up empty handed and had to let Nasrudin pass. This same pattern continued every day for several years, and every day Nasrudin wore more and more extravagant clothing and jewelry that indicated he was getting wealthier. Eventually, the inspector retired from his longtime job, but even in retirement he still wondered about the man with the straw-carrying donkey. “I should have checked that donkey’s mouth more extensively,” he thought to himself. “Or maybe he hid something in the donkey’s rectum.”

Then one day he spotted Nasrudin’s face in a crowd. “Hey,” the inspector said, “I know you! You are that man who came to my border everyday for all those years with a straw-carrying donkey. Please, sir, I must talk to you.”Nasrudin came towards him and the inspector continued talking. “My friend, I always wondered what you were smuggling past my border everyday. Just between you and me, you must tell me. I must know. What in the world were you smuggling for all those years? I must know!”

Nasrudin simply replied, “donkeys.”
Unquote

Incident 1: We were duped recently in a gold scheme where gold could be bought in exchange of cash paid monthly, even after having heard some unhealthy rumours and going ahead with it. Organisers had the wisdom of Smuggler Hodja who vamoosed into the thin air with loads of money collected from clients. We the border inspectors are still awaiting for some good news, high hopes really!

Incident 2: An Australian woman, who thought she was a card cloning victim, lost her money not once but twice. Someone somehow withdrew her money in India, where she hadn’t set foot for almost a decade she claims, from her account in Bahrain. She has now withdrawn all her money from the bank and cancelled her card. She is planning to take the bank to the courts as the bank is unwilling to reimburse her lost money.

There are a lot of serious incidents like these and to touch on them unless I have a thorough knowledge or expertise would be foolhardiness. We should learn lessons from such experiences, but do we? No. Once bitten twice shy.. are we? No! Careful and alert, we can avoid such situations. But still, we are like the dumb border inspector letting every time the wise Hodja go scot-free and smuggle his donkeys right under our noses!!