As Mullah Nasruddin emerged from the Musjid after prayers, a beggar sitting in the street appealed to him for some charity. The following conversation took place:
Mullah: Are you extravagant?
Beggar: Yes, Mullah.
Mullah: Do you like sitting around drinking coffee?
Beggar: Yes.
Mullah: I suppose you like to go to the Baths every day?
Beggar: Yes.
Mullah: And maybe amuse yourself by eating with friends?
Beggar: Yes, I like all these things.
‘Tut, tut,’ said the Mullah and gave him a gold coin.
A few metres further on, another beggar who had heard this conversation begged for charity also.
Mullah: Are you extravagant?
Beggar: No, Mullah.
Mullah: Do you like sitting around drinking coffee?
Beggar: No.
Mullah: I suppose you like to go to the Baths every day?
Beggar: No.
Mullah: And maybe amuse yourself by eating with friends?
Beggar: No, I want to live meagrely and to pray.
Whereupon Mullah Nasruddin gave him a small copper coin. ‘But why,’ wailed the beggar, ‘do you give me, an economical and pious man, a measly copper coin, when you gave that extravagant fellow a gold coin?’
‘Ah,’ replied the Mullah, ‘his needs are greater than yours.’
Mullah Nasruddin and the Beggars
