Tale 40.—The Wise Donkey.
Once upon a time the Khoja was smoking in his garden, when a certain man came to borrow his donkey.
Now this man was cruel to animals, therefore the Khoja did not like to lend him his beast; but as he was also a man of some consideration, the Khoja hesitated to refuse point blank.
"O Effendi!" said he, "I will gladly lend you my donkey, but he is a very wise animal, and knows what is about to befall him. If he foresees good luck for this journey all will be well, and you could not have a better beast. But if he foresees evil he will be of no use, and I should be ashamed to offer him to you."
"Be good enough to inquire of him," said the borrower.
Thereupon the Khoja departed on pretence of taking counsel with his donkey. But he only smoked another pipe in his garden, and then returned to the man, who was anxiously awaiting him, and whom he saluted with all possible politeness, saying—
"May it be far from you, most worthy Effendi, ever to experience such misfortune as my wise donkey foresees on this occasion!"
"What does he foresee?" inquired the borrower.
