Tale 37.—The Khoja and the Mullas.
Once upon a time the Khoja, riding on his donkey, was proceeding to a certain place to give public instruction, when he was followed by several law-students, who walked behind him.
Perceiving this, the Khoja dismounted, and got up again with his face to the donkey's tail.
"O Khoja!" cried the Mullas, "why do you ride backwards?"
"It is the only way in which we can show each other proper civility," replied the Khoja; "for when I ride in the usual fashion, if you walk behind me I turn my back on you, and if you walk before me you turn your backs on me."
Tale 38.—The Students and the Khoja's Wife.
Khoja Nasr-ed-Deen Effendi met a party of students who were walking together.
"Allow me to join you, worthy Effendis," said he, "and if it is agreeable to you we will proceed to my house."
"With the greatest possible pleasure," replied all the students, and the Khoja, beguiling the way with smart sayings and agreeable compliments, led them to the door of his dwelling.
"Be good enough to wait an instant," said the Khoja, and the students waited whilst the Khoja entered his house, where—being in a mischievous mood—he said to his wife, "O wife, go down and send those men away who are hanging about the door. If they want me, say that I have not come home."