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| This is the book where I first discovered the Hodja |
Nasreddin is a "wise fool" enjoyed throughout the Muslim world, which I've earlier noted has many names. One of my favorite stories is offered here. I confess I've told it some times even changing the Hodja (here given as the Cogia) to other preachers. I'm sure having a constantly new sermon is a problem that happens in religions everywhere. It seems an appropriate ending to this month's Ramadan.
The story goes, one of the stories of a hundred, that Cogia Nasr Eddin Efendi one day ascending into the pulpit to preach, said, ‘O believers, do ye not know what I am going to say to you?’
The congregation answered, ‘Dear Cogia Efendi, we do not know.’
Then said the Cogia, ‘What shall I say to you until you do know?’
One day the Cogia ascending again into the pulpit, said, ‘O Mussulmen, do ye not know what I am going to say to you?’
‘We do know,’ they replied.
Then said the Cogia, ‘Some of ye do know already, what should I have to say to you?’ Then descending from the chair he went out.
The assembly separated quite astonished, and, when they were out, continued to say, ‘Which are those of us who know? Which are those who do not know?’
The Cogia one day again mounting the chair in the same manner, said,
‘O brothers, when I said to ye, “Do you know what I shall
say?” There were some who said, “We know,” others
said, “We do not.” It were now well that those among
ye who knew what the Cogia said should teach those that did not."
George Borrow, trans. [1884]. The Turkish Jester or, The Pleasantries of Cogia Nasr Eddin Effendi (in English) at Project Gutenberg. The summary there correctly says:
Through his comical misunderstandings and sharp observations, the Cogia addresses broader themes of wisdom, foolishness, and societal norms. The stories serve not only as entertainment but also as reflections on life, often concluding with a profound yet humorous twist that leaves readers both amused and contemplative.
Borrow's text is formatted poorly, but the brief stories are in paragraphs that often begins "One day the Cogia..." I took this story and separated the conversation between him and his congregation into individual paragraphs.
There's yet another public domain version of this story at Allan Ramsay's Tales from Turkey as well as in many books still under copyright.
For my own part, I feel foolish, too. (Doubt I can say I'm a wise fool.) I accidentally clicked this to be published last week! Blogger only lets me Update it now. <SIGH!> I hope you catch it on March 29 when I intended to publish it. In the meantime I guess this is Blogger shouting APRIL FOOL!
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This is part of a series of postings of stories under the category, “Keeping the Public in Public Domain.” The idea behind Public Domain was to preserve our cultural heritage after the authors and their immediate heirs were compensated. I feel strongly current copyright law delays this intent on works of the 20th century. My own library of folklore includes so many books within the Public Domain I decided to share stories from them. I hope you enjoy discovering them.
At the same time, my own involvement in storytelling regularly creates projects requiring research as part of my sharing stories with an audience. Whenever that research needs to be shown here, the publishing of Public Domain stories will not occur that week. This is a return to my regular posting of a research project here. (Don't worry, this isn't dry research, my research is always geared towards future storytelling to an audience.) Response has convinced me that "Keeping the Public in Public Domain" should continue along with my other postings as often as I can manage it.
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