An illiterate man asked Mulla Nasruddin to write a letter for him. Mulla said, “Unfortunately, I can’t do it right now. My foot hurts.” The man asked, “What does that have to do with writing?” “Since nobody else can read my handwriting, I will go wherever the letter goes so that I can read it out,” explained Mulla. Another day, an illiterate man came to Mulla with a letter he had received. “Please read this letter,” he requested. Mulla looked at the letter, but could not make out a single word. “I am sorry, but I cannot read this,” he said. The man cried, “Shame on you and the turban you wear, which is a sign of education!” Mulla removed the turban from his head and placed it on the illiterate man’s head, and said, “There, now you wear the turban. If it gives some knowledge, read the letter yourself.”
Mulla and the Letters
