The Mulla was walking down the village street deep in thought, 
when some urchins began to throw stones at him. He was taken 
by surprise, and besides he was not a big man.
   ‘Don’t do that, and I will tell you something of interest to you.’
   ‘All right, what is it? But no philosophy.’
   ‘The Emir is giving a free banquet to all comers.’
   The children ran off towards the Emir’s house as Nasrudin warmed
to his theme, the delicacies and the delights of the entertainment…
   He looked up and saw them disappearing in the distance. Sud-
denly he tucked up his robes and started to sprint after them. ‘I’d
better go and see,’ he panted to himself, ‘because it might be true
after all.’