Nasrudin was sedately riding his donkey along the road when it
suddenly reared and he fell off. A group of small boys playing sur-
rounded him and almost split their sides with laughter.
   When they had wiped the tears from their eyes, Nasrudin sat up,
and adjusted his turban with unruffled dignity.
   ‘And what do you think you are laughing at?’
   ‘Mulla,’ they said, chortling at the memory, ‘it was a wonderful
sight! We were laughing at you falling off your donkey!’
   ‘You have not taken into consideration,’ said Nasrudin, ‘ the 
possibility that I might have had a reason for falling.’