Fish

Mullah Nasruddin chanced upon a wise man who was lost, and kindly gave him directions. As the wise man was hungry, he offered to buy the mullah a meal if this latter could also show him a good restaurant in the town. The mullah was delighted to oblige, and took him to the best restaurant in town. When they enquired of the restaurateur what his recommendation would be, they were told to order the fish speciality, which of course they did.

When the two fish dishes arrived, one was much bigger than the other. Without any hesitation the mullah seized the larger one for himself. Startled, the wise man hesitated before querying the mullah’s action, saying that it contravened all moral and social norms. The mullah looked surprised, and replied, ‘Why, sir, what would you have done?’ The wise man naturally answered that he would have claimed the smaller fish for himself. ‘Well there you go then, my friend!’ cried the mullah, and placed the smaller portion on the wise man’s plate.