Mullah Nasruddin is one of the most popular ancient persian characters across the world. The stories of his cleverness and intelligence are equally loved by both kids and Adults

Coins for Kebabs
Once, Mullah Nasruddin was walking along a busy marketplace, when he found a crowd gathered around a beggar. The beggar was in tears, and he was pleading to a man who looked rich and seemed to be the owner of a kebab shop in the market.

Mullah could not control his curiosity. He approached the rich man and asked him, ''Excuse me, sir for my interference. May I know what ut is that you are demanding from the poor beggar?''

The rich man had, indeed, tried to fool the beggar. He took Mullah Nasruddin to be a cunning man who might help him in troubling the mendicant. So he said, ''Earlier, this beggar came to me and asked if he could heat his bread on my stove.

I had just made some kebabs on it, and there reminded some oil and butter residue. This Fellow not only used my oven to heat the bread but also toasted it in the leftover oil and butter.That means his bread has the flavour of my kebabs. Them, am I not right to ask him for money for the flavoured bread?''

Mullah observed the beggar and the crowd around him. Then he asked the beggar, ''Why, sir! Don't you know it is not right to use another person's things without paying for them?'' The beggar looked dazed, and without a word, took out whatever money he had in his pocket. Just as he was about to give it to the rich man, Mullah interference. He chirped, ''Just a moment, sir! Let me have the pleasure of handing over the coins to him.''

Saying so, he took the coins from the beggar, turned to the rich man, and said, ''Now sir, would you mind lending me an ear?'' Puzzled, the rich man leaned forward, so that Mullah could jingle the coins in his hands, near his ear. He heard the clinking of the coins. Then he asked him, ''Hoe is the sound, sir?'' The man replied, ''Excellent. Now give them to me.''

Quietly, Mullah put back the coins into the beggar' pocket, and told him tobleave . The rich man surprised and said, ''But he hasn't paid me yet!'' Mullah then explained, Sir, the beggar only tasted the flavour of the kebabs, he did not eat them. Similarly, you've heard the clinking of the coins, so consider the price paid.''

Taken aback, the rich man hung his head in shame and retreated to his shop.