Mulla Nasrudin often wandered in graveyards, thinking about
life and death. One day he was pursuing this uplifting activity
when he saw a fierce-looking dog crouched near one of the tombs.
   Outraged at this defilement, he took up a stick and waved it at the
dog. But it merely growled, and seemed about to spring at him.
   The Mulla was not one to expose himself to danger if it could be
avoided. ‘Sit there by all means,’ he said reassuringly to the hound,
‘for there is no objection so long as you crouch at the dead man’s feet.’