Three Stories of Mullah Nasrudin

i.

Mullah Nasrudin walked along a lonely road near sundown, when he spotted three men on horseback in the distance, seemingly approaching him. He feared bandits and began to run.

One of the 3 men turned to the others and said: "That looks like Mullah Nasrudin. I wonder why he runs so fast. Let's find out."

So they set off in pursuit. The mullah, on foot, realized he couldn't outrun his fearsome pursuers, so he hid in a graveyard. The mounted men rode up to him and peered over the tombstone he lurked behind.

"Mullah Nasrudin, what are you doing hiding here?"

Somewhat embarrassed, the myopic sage replied: "It's all a bit complicated. You see, you're here because I'm here, and I'm here because you're here."

ii.

While on a trip to another village, Nasrudin lost his favorite copy of the Qur'an.

Several weeks later, a goat walked up to Nasrudin, carrying the Qur'an in its mouth.

Nasrudin couldn't believe his eyes. He took the precious book out of the goat's mouth, raised his eyes heavenward and exclaimed, "It's a miracle!"

"Not really," said the goat. "Your name is written inside the cover."

iii.

"Nasrudin, is your religion orthodox?"

"It all depends," said Nasrudin, "on which bunch of heretics is in power."

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