~ Gift Rabbit ~

[Doğan Can Çiçek]

A few people from another village, mere acquaintances of Nasreddin
Hodja, were in Aksehir for some trade business. At the end of the day,
they knocked on Hodja's door.

`Hodja Effendi, since we were in town, we thought we should pay you a
little visit. And, here is a rabbit as a token of our respect for
you.'

Hodja welcomed the guests as is the Turkish tradition and asked them
to stay for dinner. Hodja's wife cooked the rabbit and they all made a
good meal of it. A few days later, there were people at the door
again. Hodja didn't know who they were, so they had to introduce
themselves.

`Nasreddin Hodja, we are the relatives of the folks who brought you
the rabbit.' they explained. They were passing through Aksehir and
they thought they drop by. Nasreddin Hodja and his wife opened their
home to them as well. They served soup for dinner.

`It is the broth of the rabbit.' elucidated the Hodja.

Another couple of days passed and there was yet another group of
strangers at Hodja's door.

`We come from the neighbour village of the people who brought you the
rabbit.' they said. Hodja had no choice but to let them in. When it
was dinner time, Hodja brought a large pot full of well water to the
table.

`What is this, Hodja Effendi?' inquired the displeased guests.

`It is the broth of the broth of the rabbit.' Hodja snapped.